The Texans could be without tight end Garrett Graham for yet another week.
Graham (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday, and coach Wade Phillips indicated the tight end’s availability for Sunday’s game vs. Denver was tenuous.
“It’s similar to last week and he didn’t play last week,” Phillips told reporters, according to the club. “It’s not looking good from that standpoint.”
Graham is second on the Texans in catches (49) and targets (89) and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (five).
The Texans’ injury concerns at tight end do not stop with Graham. Fullback / tight end Brad Smelley is dealing with a back issue that kept him out of practice on Thursday.
“We’re hoping he’s going to get better by game time. He’s iffy right now,” Phillips said of Smelley, whom Houston signed December 13.
Rookie Ryan Griffin is currently the Texans’ only healthy tight end. Griffin caught all six passes thrown his way in last Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis.
If the Texans needed to add another tight end to the roster, they could bring up Phillip Supernaw from the practice squad. Owen Daniels, the club’s top target at tight end when healthy, remains on injured reserve with a leg injury. On Wednesday, Phillips indicated that Daniels’ status remained unchanged.