Texans’ relatively healthy heading into playoff game except for guard Shaq Mason being out with sprained MCL

HOUSTON – As the Texans held their final practice before an AFC wild-card round playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, they had a mostly full contingent of players from their active roster.

That includes wide receiver John Metchie III and defensive end Denico Autry after they missed one practice earlier this week with shoulder and knee injuries, respectively.

Veteran offensive guard Shaq Mason is out for this game and likely for the majority of the playoffs should the AFC South champions advance further in the postseason. Mason suffered a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in December and is out three to four weeks, per league sources.

Autry, Metchie, linebacker Jake Hansen, who missed one practice with an ankle injury and returned Wednesday, are set to go along with defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi being back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for the month of December.

The Texans listed Autry, Metchie, linebacker Christian Harris (ankle) and tight end Teagan Quitoriano, who was designated for return, as questionable.

All of them are expected to play with the potential exception of Quitoriano, who hasn’t been activated yet from injured reserve.

Star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and starting linebacker Harris practiced all three days, participating fully, after being held out of the regular-season finale against the Titans as a precautionary measure with hand and ankle injuries, respectively.

Having Fatukasi back gives the Texans’ defense and experienced and big run-stopping presence in the middle. He was limited in practice, but is expected to play Saturday barring an unexpected setback.

“Yeah, we feel pretty healthy,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Foley, getting him back will be big for us. He has done a really good job at helping us with our run defense. So, getting him back will be huge. Overall, at this point of the season to be here health wise I think we are in a really good spot so we have to stay that way.”

Texans cornerback Jeff Okudah returned to practice Wednesday from a concussion that kept him out against Tennessee. He is full participation, clearing the NFL concussion protocol and has no injury designation.

Anderson, Hansen, Okudah and cornerback D’Angelo Ross (shoulder), offensive lineman Nick Broeker (hand) all participated fully and have no injury designation.

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