Texans’ receivers Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios sidelined and center Jake Andrews: replacement plan in effect

HOUSTON – Texans starting center Jake Andrews remains sidelined indefinitely due to a high-ankle sprain, per a league source.

With Andrews out after being carted off the field Sunday in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a replacement plan is in effect: installing center Jarrett Patterson as his replacement.

Patterson finished the game, a 14-9 loss at SoFi Stadium, as the first-team center. A third-year pro from Notre Dame and a former sixth-round draft pick, Patterson has started 16 of 23 career games and is regarded as a reliable technician style of blocker.

“Patterson has done a nice job,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Patterson has played a lot of ball for us. He filled in last year. He stepped in. Wherever, guard, center, Patterson is going to give you everything he has. That’s all we expect from him. I’m encouraged with how he plays.”

Starting wide receiver Christian Kirk and primary return specialist Braxton Berrios are still dealing with with hamstring injuries and didn’t practice.

It’s a tough development for the Texans’ passing game and special teams days before a Monday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium.

Kirk has a one to two week recovery anticipated, per league sources. Berrios is expected to be out a relatively short amount of time, per sources.

Both didn’t practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday last week.

Offensive guard Ed Ingram (abdomen) participated in practice Thursday, on a limited basis, and is making steady progress, per a source.

If Ingram can get back in the lineup at right guard after being held out of the Rams game, then the Texans can go back to the majority of their originally planned offensive line alignment with rookie Aireontae Ersery at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Patterson at center and shift Tytus Howard, who played well at right guard against Los Angeles as the highest graded lineman, back to right tackle.

Backup right tackle Blake Fisher participated fully, but remains on the injury report with a sprained ankle.

Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., who missed a few plays with a sore hip against the Rams before finishing the game and saying after the game he isn’t hurt, practiced Thursday. He isn’t on the injury report.

Without Kirk and Berrios, rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel figures heavily into the replacement plan. Noel is a classic slot receiver with 4.39 speed and good hands. He was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year last season at Iowa State before being drafted in the third round by the Texans.

Kirk is the Texans’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and had established himself enough with his route-running skills and hands that teammates called him a “slot magician.”

Acquired in a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kirk was brought into provide a reliable receiving presence in tandem with Collins. His $15.5 million base salary was restructured into a $14 million signing bonus for salary cap purposes to create $12 million in savings with the addition of void years for signing bonus amortization.

Kirk was limited to 25 catches for 320 yards and a touchdown last season in eight games after breaking his collarbone. He has caught 404 career passes for 5,176 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Berrios caught a touchdown in a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s a former All-Pro selection who has 134 career catches for 1,323 yards and six touchdowns with 3,289 return yards and four rushing touchdowns.

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