Steelers Now
The Houston Texans are a rather healthy unit heading into Monday night’s AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Only reserve running back Jawhar Jordan (high-ankle sprain) was unable to practice this week and was officially ruled out for Monday night. Cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring) and safety Jalen Reed (forearm) are listed as questionable.
Star cornerbacks Kamari Lassiter (knee, ankle) and Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), linebacker Jamal Hill (calf), left guard Tytus Howard (ankle), right tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee), offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (thumb), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankings (elbow) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee) do not have injury designations and are good to go for Monday night.
Lassiter, who has four interceptions this season, did not practice on Thursday. He was a limited on Friday and was a full participant on Saturday.
Lassiter affirmed he was going to play against the Steelers. He added he didn’t even need the rest in the Week 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
“Yes sir,” Lassiter said when asked if he’ll be ready for Monday night. “It’s kind of give and take. In my head, if I can walk, if I can talk, I can play. It’s kind of that gray line between protecting yourself from yourself. And that’s all it was, and I appreciate it.”
Texans safety Calen Bullock knew Lassiter would be back.
“It was for the best to save him for the playoffs and we know what he’s going to bring to the table this week,”Bullock said.
Lassiter was initially injured in the first quarter of the Texans’ Week 17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He eventually returned to the contest.
Kamari Lassiter is practicing and has arrived to the field. pic.twitter.com/CaWf6XkrL4
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) January 9, 2026
All-Pro Derek Stingley and Lassiter are one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave the duo high praise during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show and in his weekly Tuesday press conference.
The Texans also have a lethal edge rusher tandem in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Tomlin knows his offensive unit will have their hands full with the Texans defense.
“That edge rush tandem and that cornerback tandem are both special,” Tomlin told Eisen. “You see why they’re number 1 in the league in defense. There’s no secret why they’re kicking a lot of butt.”
Steelers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen said ‘there’s not a lot of weakness’ in Houston’s secondary.
“One thing you notice is not only are they athletic and physical, but they’re really smart. They mesh really well with each other,” Thielen said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Texans Get Back Star CB for Playoff Game vs. Steelers
