Texans opening practice windows for Jaylen Reed, Denico Autry while Joe Mixon remains sidelined and out indefinitely

HOUSTON – Texans rookie safety Jaylen Reed is set to return to practice after missing the first month of the regular season with a sprained knee.

He injured his knee during training camp and was placed on injured reserve. Now, he’s being designated for return.

The Texans are also opening the practice window for veteran defensive Denico Autry from the reserve-physically unable to perform list. Autry had three sacks and 13 tackles last season in 10 games after joining the Texans on a two-year, $20 million contract. He missed six games for a performance-enhancing drug policy suspension.

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (foot-ankle) will remain on the non-football injury list at this time, per coach DeMeco Ryans.

Mixon is out indefinitely with an injury characterized as “tough and complicated,” by league sources. There is no specific timetable for when or if he will return this season.

Mixon was in a walking boot in the spring and his injury prompted the Texans to sign four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb. Mixon later was in a lace-up brace with some improved mobility over the summer. He has sought outside medical help, including nonsurgical procedures to try to speed up the healing process in what has been a lengthy rehab process.

A sixth-round draft pick from Penn State who had a pick-six interception in practice, Reed got hurt during a special teams portion of practice. He was helped off the field by trainers.

Signed to a four-year, $4.95 million contract that includes a $243,800 signing bonus. Reed is a 6-foot, 211-pound second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection.

Reed intercepted three passes last season and recorded 98 tackles with three passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Two seasons ago, he had 46 tackles and two interceptions.

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