HOUSTON – The Texans made it official, ruling out rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith for a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The third-round draft pick from USC is dealing with a strained hamstring.
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Tremon Smith is expected to be the third corner behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Texans starting center Jake Andrews is fully cleared from a high-ankle sprain he suffered during a road season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Andrews, a former New England Patriots fourth-round draft pick from Troy University where he played for Texans offensive line coach-run game coordinator Cole Popovich, missed a Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was replaced in the lineup by Jarrett Patterson.
Andrews was upgraded to full participation Friday.
#Texans center Jake Andrews working back from high-ankle sprain, new tight end Brenden Bates assigned No. 82. Texans liked him as a UDFA last year and he signed with #Bears playing against them in @ProFootballHOF game in Canton @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/6x0dYvVzet
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 17, 2025
The Texans are getting reinforcements at wide receiver.
Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are expected back for the Jaguars game after missing the first two games due to hamstring strains. Both were upgraded to full participation Friday with no injury designation along with corner Kamari Lassiter (knee), nickel Jalen Pitre (rib) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (hip).
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.
#Texans Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios back from hamstring injuries before #Jaguars game @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/yuO6V6CU5r
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 17, 2025
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.
Breaking down 0-2 #Texans 20-19 #MNF loss to #Buccaneers @KPRC2 with @KPRC2RandyMc @KPRCNick pic.twitter.com/t0rmivsLYW
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 16, 2025
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com