Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 326 lbs |
| Birthplace: Suwanee, GA |
| Age: 21 |
| School: Ohio State |
| Experience: R |
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0:53Texans Looking to Revitalize Offensive Line
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1:10Texans Bolster Trenches With Keylan Rutledge
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8:44Breaking Down the AFC South Offseason Checklist
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11:13Biggest Questions Facing the AFC South Post-Draft
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1:36Geico Feel Good Moment: Texans Drafting DL Kayden McDonald In 2nd Round
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0:452026 NFL Draft Grades: Texans Select Kayden McDonald No. 36
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11:24Breaking Down Josh Edwards' Day 2 NFL Mock Draft
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1:41Ohio State: Will Smith Jr. or John Walker to Replace McDonald?
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1:14Chance for No DTs Selected in the 1st Round
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0:452026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DT Kayden McDonald
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1:01Expectations For DT Kayden McDonald At Pro Day
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6:45Kayden McDonald NFL Combine Interview
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1:30When NFL Head Coaches Take Over Play-Calling Duties
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8:56NFL Executive Perspective with Amy Trask
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1:43Are the Texans' Playoff Chances Toast?
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1:13Houston Texans: Pack It Up or Still Have Hope?
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9:25NFL Week 5 Bold Predictions | HQ NFL
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1:54
Breaking Down who is to Blame for the Texans' 0-4 Start
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1:06Is Cam Ward to Blame for the Titans' 0-4 Start?
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1:25Texans at Titans: Breaking Down Houston's 0-4 Start
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Top Kayden McDonald News
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Practices in full Thursday
McDonald (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
The Texans designated McDonald for return from injured reserve Wednesday, opening his 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster. While the rookie isn't a lock to suit up Sunday versus the Titans, he's heading in a positive direction toward making his NFL debut after missing the first four games of the 2026 campaign.
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Returns to practice Wednesday
McDonald (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday.
McDonald is currently on injured reserve, but his return to practice, even in a limited capacity, suggests he could be back before the close of the 21-day window. The 21-year-old is coming off a quality final season with the Buckeyes, amassing 65 total tackles (31 solo), one pass defended and 3.0 sacks.
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Lands on injured reserve
The Texans placed McDonald (ankle) on injured reserve Friday.
McDonald was limited in practice Wednesday and missed practice Thursday, suggesting he suffered the injury in practice this week. He'll now be required to miss at least the first four games of the season. Logan Hall, Mario Edwards and Jaden Crumedy will see the rotational snaps at defensive tackle behind Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Rankins.
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Doesn't practice Thursday
McDonald (ankle) didn't participate in practice Thursday.
McDonald was listed as a limited participant because of the ankle issue Wednesday and downgraded to DNP on Thursday. That's a concerning trend ahead of Sunday's season opener versus Buffalo. Friday's final injury report of the week should provide more clarity about McDonald's likelihood of suiting up against the Bills.
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Selected by Texans
The Texans selected McDonald in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 36th overall.
The Texans traded up with the Raiders to take McDonald, a classic nose tackle in stature (6-foot-2, 326 pounds) but one who finds the ball carrier much more often than most two-gap defensive tackles. McDonald set the interior anchor for Ohio State's smothering defense in 2025, yet even while working through the thickest part of the trenches McDonald managed to accumulate 65 tackles (nine for a loss) in 14 games. The Texans run defense and pass rush were both already strong, yet with McDonald in the rotation it gets even tougher to block the Texans.
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