Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk ruled out for Seahawks game Monday night after re-injuring hamstring

HOUSTON – Texans veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk was ruled out for a Monday night game.

He re-injured his hamstring in practice Friday, marking the the second time this season he’s had this kind of setback. Now, he’s sidelined for a road game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Kirk was first added to the injury report Friday and listed as limited after not being able to complete the practice. He missed the first two games of the year with a strained hamstring. With Kirk out, the Texans will lean on Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to complement Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins. Noel is expected to be the primary slot with Kirk out. Braxton Berrios has been a healthy scratch this season since returning from a preseason hamstring injury, but could be active with Kirk out.

Kirk is coming off his most productive game of the season. Prior to the open week, Kirk caught four passes for 64 yards, including a 47-yard catch where he nearly scored a touchdown on four targets. He has 10 receptions for the season for 109 yards on 16 targets in three games and two starts.

Meanwhile, third cornerback Tremon Smith returned to practice Saturday after being excused from practice Friday for personal reasons.

Two players designated for return participated fully Thursday and could be activated, especially rookie safety Jaylen Reed, along with defensive lineman Denico Autry. Rookie corner Alijah Huzzie is practicing after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game. He remains on the non-football injury list and was ruled out Saturday.

Reed is questionable, but is on track to be activated. Autry isn’t being activated at this time.

The Texans are generally feeling recharged and rejuvenated as an extremely healthy football team following a week off.

The defending AFC South champions are on a two-game winning streak after a winless three-game start to the season.

They look well-rested and ready to go.

“Just go rest, get some time off, do whatever you want to do to your body,” said Texans rookie running back Woody Marks, who attended USC’s victory over Michigan. “Just get it good, then come back and go fresh in your body.”

Unlike previous weeks when All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. was limited or missed practice early in the week before returning to play in the game, he’s full-go after the bye.

The newly-engaged former LSU consensus All-American has recovered from a left oblique injury that forced him out of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has participated in almost every defensive snap the past two games.

Stingley and the Texans’ top-ranked scoring defense are allowing just 12.2 points per game. They’ll be tested against a Seahawks offense headlined by star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a potential marquee matchup against Stingley should the Texans elect to shadow him all over the field in coverage, and quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold had a dominant passing game against the Texans last season with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings.

Rookie corner Jaylin Smith remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Texans general manager Nick Caserio indicated he could return to practice in the next week or two.

Safety Jimmie Ward remains on the reserve-physically unable to perform list after undergoing two offseason foot surgeries.

Tight end Cade Stover (broken foot), wide receiver Justin Watson (calf-Achilles), defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (arthroscopic knee surgery) remain on injured reserve.

“Reed and Autry started practicing here last week,” Caserio said. “I would say they’re probably closer to playing than some others.We have some depth off the roster in some different categories. At some point when those players are available, the expectation is they’re going to be ready to go here at some point to be able to help the team.”

Although Stingley missed time during the week before returning to practice, he intercepted a pass against the Tennessee Titans

“It take a lot to get me off of the field,” Stingley said.

Stingley played 94 percent of the Texans’ defensive snaps, delivering a gritty performance.

“Stingley comes back, he was battling all week just to be able to be out there and he toughed through it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was able to be out there and not just be there but be productive. He was able to intercept the football for us to change the game.”

Signed to a contract extension in the offseason that includes $90 million in new money, Stingley read the play alertly when Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s pass was deflected.

He intercepted the 13th pass of his career.

“Right time in the right place,” Stingley said. “Just doing my job. Just being who I’m supposed to be."

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