Texans guard Juice Scruggs out a few games with foot injury as Kenyon Green returns, splits snaps with Zach Thomas

HOUSTON – Texans starting left offensive guard Juice Scruggs is expected to miss a minimum of two games due to a foot injury suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Scruggs is expected to play again this season with the longest projected recovery time of three weeks, per league sources, with no surgery or injured reserve planned at this time.

Scruggs got hurt at the end of the Jaguars game prior to the bye. He didn’t practice Wednesday.

Scruggs, who graded out highly against the Jaguars, had moved to guard from center with Jarrett Patterson replacing him as the center when Kenyon Green was placed on injured reserve with a partially dislocated left shoulder.

“For us, we’ll see where Juice, as he ends up throughout the week, but we’ll see how that combination works out for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday after practice. “There’s a lot of things that go into play. The main thing for me, it’s accountability. Guy who is able to go in there, guy you can count on to do your job, be where you’re supposed to be, communicate the right way.”

Now, Green, a former first-round draft pick from Texas A&M and blue-chip recruit from Atascosita High School, has returned to practice after being designated for return. Green has made a full recovery from the shoulder injury.

The team launched a 21-day practice window Monday for Green to return to the 53-man active roster.

Green is a candidate to start against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, as is offensive lineman Zach Thomas. Thomas was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots the first week of November. He has played in three games with two offensive snaps and 17 snaps on special teams. Thomas is cross-training at guard after primarily playing tackle in his career. Green and Thomas both took snaps with the first-team offense Wednesday, splitting up the reps, according to sources. Green was listed as limited on the injury report.

Texans linebacker Christian Harris has also been designated for return and moved well during his first practice back from a strained calf that sidelined him for the first 13 games of the season. Harris participated in drills alongside linebackers Devin White and Henry To’oTo’o on Wednesday and looked fluid and changed directions smoothly.

Harris still needs to be activated to the 53-man roster after missing a significant amount of time with an injury he initially suffered in July before reaggravating the soft-tissue injury during a late August setback. Harris is fully healthy and optimism is high surrounding his potential speedy return to the lineup, perhaps as soon as Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. He was listed as limited on the injury report.

Harris’ pending return should provide a boost to a defense playing without starter and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair as he’s been suspended for the next three games by the NFL for a controversial, concussion-causing hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Al-Shaair appealed the punishment, but it was upheld by appeals officer Ramon Foster last week.

Texans nickel Jalen Pitre is out for the season with a partially torn left pectoral and will undergo surgery, per league sources. He remains on the active roster for now, but will be placed on injured reserve.

Texans safety Eric Murray, who injured his hand against the Jaguars, practiced as did nickel Jimmie Ward, who finished the game against Jacksonville and was examined and cleared for a concussion and checked out for a leg injury.

Texans veteran defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi returned to practice from a foot injury. He has missed the past three games and was in a walking boot until just before the bye week. He has recorded 23 tackles, four for losses with three quarterback hits and one sack. He was limited, as was defensive end Denico Autry (knee), Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (rest) and wide receiver Nico Collins (rest).

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.

• MORE TEXANS COVERAGE
• ‘True playmaker’ Nico Collins squares off against Colts after dominant performance in pivotal game last season
• Mindset of Texans’ Nico Collins, the NFL receiving yardage leader: ‘The guy in front of you can’t stop me’
• How ‘dynamic’ Texans RB Joe Mixon joined Arian Foster, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith in statistical benchmarks in epic season
• Source: Texans signing guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. to practice squad
• Texans designate corner Jeff Okudah, defensive end Jerry Hughes for return from injured reserve
• Source: Texans worked out linemen La’el Collins, Tremayne Anchrum Jr, Ike Boettger, Jerome Carvin, DB Jason Taylor
• Texans rookie Jamal Hill honored by official proclamation in Georgia hometown
• Texans’ Kenyon Green dislocated left shoulder, to be placed on IR, Kendrick Green steps in, Will Anderson Jr. ankle hurt
• ‘I know I have to step up, I know I have shoes to fill,’ Texans’ Tank Dell in spotlight after Stefon Diggs’ torn ACL
• Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is the AFC Defensive Player of the Month
• ‘I’m just trying to be that light as much as I can,’ Texans nickel Jalen Pitre nabs first interception since rookie year
• “We Met & Discussed My Game” Ivan Demidov on the Canadiens’ Visit and Playing in the KHL