NFL Player News

The Texans announced Friday that Taylor has been elevated from the practice squad for Saturday's road divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs.

Taylor will be available for Houston as insurance behind Joe Mixon (ankle), who is officially listed as questionable. The starting running back appears to be trending in the right direction, however, and even if Mixon were to miss time, Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale would stand to handle the majority of the Texans' backfield reps.

The Texans promoted Beck to the active roster Friday, making him eligible to play during Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs.

Beck will contribute as a key blocker for Houston's offense with Teagan Quitoriano (calf) already ruled out for Saturday's contest. Across four regular-season appearances in 2024, Beck was targeted twice but did not record a reception.

Davis (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Ravens.

Davis sustained a concussion during this past Sunday's wild-card win versus the Broncos, containing him to a limited walkthrough Wednesday and back-to-back capped sessions to wrap up the week. He must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to make himself available this weekend, as coach Sean McDermott told Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News earlier Friday that the running back remains in the protocol for head injuries.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Davis is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Davis was forced out of Buffalo's wild-card win over the Broncos in the second half, and though he's since managed to practice in a limited capacity during one walkthrough and one full session, his status remains uncertain for Sunday's divisional-round game against Baltimore. The rookie fourth-round pick will need to gain full medical clearance, including from an independent neurologist, in order to be allowed to suit up versus the Ravens. Friday's official practice report likely will label Davis questionable to play Sunday.

Mixon (ankle), who officially is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round contest against the Chiefs, has a "very, very real chance to play," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, the ankle injury that caused Mixon to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday and miss Thursday's session isn't particularly serious, and he can be considered on track to play Saturday barring any unforeseen setbacks. Official word on the status of the Texans' top backfield option will be revealed no later than 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Houston has backups Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale on hand in the event that Mixon is limited or unavailable due to his ankle issue.

Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs.

After being added to the Texans' injury report Wednesday following a limited practice, Mixon was deemed a non-participant Thursday. The starting running back's status thus is worth monitoring closely as Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if Mixon is limited or out versus Kansas City, Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale would be in line to see added backfield work for Houston.

Montgomery (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders.

Montgomery hurt the MCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Bills, after which there was uncertainty about his potential to return this season. Ultimately, after he received numerous opinions regarding the issue, the Lions made the decision to not place him on injured reserve, giving him a chance to come back at some point in the postseason. The call was a fortuitous one after Detroit claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and Montgomery will miss only three games as a result of the injury. It's unclear how much work he may scoop up alongside Jahmyr Gibbs on Saturday, but at the very least Montgomery likely will claim some of the early-down and short-yardage reps that have allowed him to compile 25 rushing touchdowns in 28 regular-season contests with the Lions.

Davis (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Davis suffered a concussion in the second half of this past Sunday's wild-card win against the Broncos. Since then, he logged a limited walkthrough Wednesday and maintained that activity level one day later, albeit while donning a red non-contact jersey, per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com. In the end, Davis will be subject to an examination from an independent neurologist in order to have a chance to play Sunday versus the Ravens.

Mixon was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Mixon wasn't listed on Houston's injury report Tuesday, so his addition to it a day later makes his status worth monitoring ahead of Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether the running back carries an injury designation into the weekend or is fully cleared to face Kansas City.

Vidal finished his rookie campaign with 43 carries for 155 yards and an additional five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown across 10 games.

The 2024 sixth-round pick was considered a possible deep sleeper entering the year given the uncertain availability of oft-injured backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, but the imported Ravens duo were relatively healthy throughout the year, relegating Vidal to a healthy inactive at portions of the season. Even when the rookie had opportunities to flourish due to various injuries to the aforementioned duo, Vidal only saw six or more carries twice throughout the season and played just over 21 offensive snaps twice throughout the entire campaign. The Chargers clearly prioritize multiple rotational backs and depth given the offensive emphasis of the position, but it's unclear if Vidal will be a part of the team's larger goals despite Dobbins entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and Edwards due a $3 million bonus entering his age-30 season.