Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 227 lbs |
| Birthplace: Fort Worth, TX |
| Age: 31 |
| School: Tarleton St. |
| Experience: 8 |
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Top E.J. Speed News
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Moved to reserve/PUP list
Speed (quadriceps) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Texans on Sunday.
Speed suffered a torn quadriceps tendon while lifting weights in May, and he underwent surgery to repair the injury. The linebacker is expected to miss the entirety of the 2026 season, and in his absence, Jake Hansen (ankle) and Henry To'oTo'o are set to operate as the team's primary outside linebackers.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Won't play in 2026
Speed will miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn quadriceps tendon, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Speed underwent surgery over the offseason after scans revealed a total tear rather than a partial tear. He opened training camp on the active/PUP list with the hope that he would be available to play at some point in the regular season, but the injury is severe enough for Speed to miss the entire 2026 season. He'll shift his focus toward being fully healthy for the 2027 campaign.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Looking at extended absence
Speed (quadriceps) remains without a firm timetable for return and is looking at an extended absence, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Speed suffered a partial tear to his quad while lifting weights back in May and was placed on the active/PUP list Tuesday. By the sounds of it, Speed could open the regular season on reserve/PUP list, which would cost him at least the first four games of 2026. Speed inked a two-year, $10 million deal with Houston over the offseason.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: On PUP to start training camp
Speed (quadriceps) will begin training camp on the Texans' active/PUP list, per the team's official site.
Speed suffered a partial tear to his quadriceps and quad tendon while lifting weights back in May, and as training camp starts up, he's still not ready to return to football activities. In his stead, rookie fourth-rounder Wade Woodaz could get some practice reps with the first-team defense.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Needs surgery for quad injury
Speed partially tore his quadriceps and quad tendon during training and will have surgery next week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Per Wilson, Speed was injured while lifting weights. He's expected to need at least three months after surgery before he can begin rehab, so it's almost certain that the veteran linebacker will miss a significant portion of the upcoming season, though the expectation is that he'll be able to return at some point during the campaign. Speed started nine of the 16 regular-season games in which he played for Houston last season and also was a contributor on special teams. Jake Hansen (chest), Jamal Hill, Marte Mapu and Jake Hummel, along with rookie draft picks Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher, are candidates to get significant defensive snaps in Speed's absence.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Staying in Houston
Speed and the Texans agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract Saturday that includes $7.5 million guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Speed joined the Texans on a one-year deal in March of 2025 after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Colts. His new deal Saturday includes a $4 million signing bonus and ensures that he'll stick around in Houston for the foreseeable future. Speed finished the 2025 regular season with 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defense over 16 games, which broke his streak of 100-tackle seasons at two.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Reduced role in Houston
Speed recorded 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defensed over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Speed's first season in Houston looked nothing like the trend he established in his final two years with Indianapolis, for whom he posted 102 and 142 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Houston's top-ranked defense operated mostly out of the nickel, which naturally limits at least one linebacker. Defensive back Jalen Pitre, who brings the physicality of a linebacker, gave the Texans more flexibility at the expense of Speed's playing time. The linebacker played 50 percent or fewer of the defensive snaps in 10 of 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Clears injury designation
Speed (knee) has no injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup against the Raiders.
Speed upgraded to full participation in practice Friday and is now ready to go Sunday against the Raiders after missing Week 15 with an ankle injury. The 30-year-old has 47 tackles (28 solo) and one pass breakup in 13 games this season.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Upgrades to limited practice
Speed (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Speed sat out Wednesday's practice entirely after having missed Week 15 versus Arizona. His return to practice Thursday, even as a limited participant, bodes well for his odds of gaining clearance for Sunday's game against the Raiders. To return Week 16, however, Speed may have to prove he can handle full practice reps Friday.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Speed (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
Speed was sidelined in Week 15 versus the Cardinals because of a knee injury, and now he's in danger of missing a second straight game. If he can't get back on the practice field Thursday or Friday, he'll likely miss Sunday's game versus the Raiders.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Not playing Week 15
Speed (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Speed was able to practice all week in a limited capacity, but his knee injury is severe enough for him to miss Sunday's contest. Jake Hansen, Christian Harris and Jamal Hill are all candidates to see more snaps at linebacker in Speed's absence.
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Texans' E.J. Speed: Questionable for Sunday
Speed (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Speed managed to be a limited participant in all practices this week, a positive sign for the linebacker's playing chances. The 30-year-old has not missed a game this season, but if he is not healthy enough to be cleared for Sunday, Jamal Hill and Jake Hansen will likely see increased snaps at outside linebacker for the Texans' defense.
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