Marvin Harrison Jr. won't make his return to the Cardinals lineup this weekend.
The wide receiver is one of eight players that have been ruled inactive against the Texans. Harrison and cornerback Max Melton both have been dealing with heel injuries. Melton, who was a limited participant on Wednesday, was sidelined for remainder of the week as his injury continues to linger.
Also ruled out this weekend are left guard Evan Brown (NIR-Personal), defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee), wide receiver Xavier Weaver (hamstring), left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), and safeties Jalen Thompson (hamstring) and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle). This will be the fifth consecutive game Taylor-Demerson has missed. While safety Budda Baker was at practice on Thursday and Friday and did not receive a game designation, his right thumb was wrapped up.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said Brown has been dealing with a family matter.
Walter Nolen III was a limited participant all week and is questionable to play this weekend. Gannon said Nolen (knee) did "a good job" during his first week back. Running back Emari Demercado (ankle), tight end Elijah Higgins (illness), defensive lineman L.J. Collier (knee), and offensive tackle Christian Jones (knee) are questionable to play.
Both Jones and Collier would need to be activated to the 53-man roster by Saturday afternoon as they are still on the Injured Reserve list.
Houston haven't ruled anyone out, but have listed tight end Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder), running back Nick Chubb (ribs), linebacker E.J. Speed (knee), and wide receiver Justin Watson (calf) as questionable.
THURSDAY REPORT
After 11 players did not practice on Wednesday, a handful of them made their return as game prep progresses.
All of the players that were given rest days, Josh Sweat, Kelvin Beachum, and Dalvin Tomlinson, practiced on Thursday. Safety Budda Baker (NIR-Personal/Thumb) also took part in Thursday's practice. It's an encouraging sign since Baker is not only the heartbeat of the defense, but can help a banged-up safety room.
Safeties Jalen Thompson (hamstring) and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) did not practice. Logging another DNP this week were wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel), left guard Evan Brown (NIR-Personal), and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee).
After practicing on Wednesday, cornerback Max Melton (heel) did not participate on Thursday.
Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Xavier Weaver (hamstring) were working off to the side with trainers. Johnson has already been ruled out this weekend.
Thursday was rookie Walter Nolen III's second limited practice. Through four games played this year, his presence on the field is noticeable. Nolen has four tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
The depth of the Texans running back room has been tested with Woody Marks (knee) and Nick Chubb (ribs) nursing injuries. Marks was limited.
WEDNESDAY REPORT
It's never a good time to lose your starting left tackle, but it's especially rough when one of the NFL's best pass-rushing duos are your upcoming opponents.
The Cardinals ruled out Paris Johnson Jr. after he sustained a knee injury against the Rams. It was reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Johnson's injury is "considered week-to-week." Rookie Josh Fryar is in line to earn his first career start against the Texans.
Ten other players were also not at practice on Wednesday, including safeties Budda Baker (NIR-Personal/thumb), Jalen Thompson (hamstring), and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle). The second-year safety was working off to the side with Thompson. The only true safeties seen during the open portion of practice were Kitan Crawford and Jaden Davis from the practice squad. Darren Hall took part in some safety drills.
Wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) and Xavier Weaver (hamstring) did not participate after both were sidelined last weekend. Also missing from practice were left guard Evan Brown (NIR-Personal), right tackle Kelvin Beachum (NIR-Rest), outside linebacker Josh Sweat (NIR-Rest), and defensive linemen Bilal Nichols (knee) and Dalvin Tomlinson (NIR-Rest).
The good news on the injury front was the return of first-round rookie Walter Nolen III. It was his first practice since injuring his knee on Nov. 23 against the Jaguars. Cornerback Max Melton (heel), running back Emari Demercado (ankle), defensive lineman L.J. Collier (knee), and offensive tackle Christian Jones (knee) were limited.
Houston had seven players miss practice on Wednesday, including running backs Nick Chubb (ribs) and Woody Marks (knee).
Arizona Cardinals Injury Report Week 15
Game status:
LG Evan Brown (NIR-Personal) - OUT
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Heel) - OUT
LT Paris Johnson Jr. (Knee) - OUT
CB Max Melton (Heel) - OUT
DL Bilal Nichols (Knee) - OUT
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Heel) - OUT
S Jalen Thompson (Hamstring) - OUT
WR Xavier Weaver (Hamstring) - OUT
DL L.J. Collier (Knee) - QUESTIONABLE
RB Emari Demercado (Ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
TE Elijah Higgins (Illness) - QUESTIONABLE
OL Christian Jones (Knee) - QUESTIONABLE
DL Walter Nolen III (Knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Friday, December 12
S Budda Baker (NIR-Personal/Thumb) - Full
OL Kelvin Beachum (NIR-Rest) - Full
OL Evan Brown (NIR-Personal) - DNP
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Heel) - DNP
OL Paris Johnson Jr. (Knee) - DNP
DL Bilal Nichols (Knee) - DNP
OLB Josh Sweat (NIR-Rest) - Full
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Ankle) - DNP
S Jalen Thompson (Hamstring) - DNP
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (NIR-Rest) - Full
WR Xavier Weaver (Hamstring) - DNP
DL L.J. Collier (Knee) - Limited
RB Emari Demercado (Ankle) - Limited
OL Christian Jones (Knee) - Limited
CB Max Melton (Heel) - DNP
DL Walter Nolen III (Knee) - Limited
CB Will Johnson (Thumb) - Full
DL Calais Campbell (NIR-Rest) - DNP
TE Elijah Higgins (Illness) - DNP
Thursday, December 11
S Budda Baker (NIR-Personal/Thumb) - Full
OL Kelvin Beachum (NIR-Rest) - Limited
OL Evan Brown (NIR-Personal) - DNP
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Heel) - DNP
OL Paris Johnson Jr. (Knee) - DNP
DL Bilal Nichols (Knee) - DNP
OLB Josh Sweat (NIR-Rest) - Limited
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Ankle) - DNP
S Jalen Thompson (Hamstring) - DNP
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (NIR-Rest) - Limited
WR Xavier Weaver (Hamstring) - DNP
DL L.J. Collier (Knee) - Limited
RB Emari Demercado (Ankle) - Limited
OL Christian Jones (Knee) - Limited
CB Max Melton (Heel) - DNP
DL Walter Nolen III (Knee) - Limited
CB Will Johnson (Thumb) - Full
Wednesday, December 10
S Budda Baker (NIR-Personal/Thumb) - DNP
OL Kelvin Beachum (NIR-Rest) - DNP
OL Evan Brown (NIR-Personal) - DNP
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Heel) - DNP
OL Paris Johnson Jr. (Knee) - DNP
DL Bilal Nichols (Knee) - DNP
OLB Josh Sweat (NIR-Rest) - DNP
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Ankle) - DNP
S Jalen Thompson (Hamstring) - DNP
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (NIR-Rest) - DNP
WR Xavier Weaver (Hamstring) - DNP
DL L.J. Collier (Knee) - Limited
RB Emari Demercado (Ankle) - Limited
OL Christian Jones (Knee) - Limited
CB Max Melton (Heel) - Limited
DL Walter Nolen III (Knee) - Limited
CB Will Johnson (Thumb) - Full
Houston Texans Injury Report Week 15
Game status:
TE Harrison Bryant (Neck/Shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE
RB Nick Chubb (Ribs) - QUESTIONABLE (2nd string)
LB E.J. Speed (Knee) - QUESTIONABLE (2nd string)
WR Justin Watson (Calf) - QUESTIONABLE
Friday, December 12
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Ankle) - Full (1st string)
DE Denico Autry (Knee) - Full (2nd string)
OT Trent Brown (Hand) - Full (1st string)
RB Nick Chubb (Ribs) - Limited (2nd string)
CB Kamari Lassiter (Foot) - Limited (1st string)
RB Woody Marks (Knee) - Full (1st string)
DT Sheldon Rankins (Elbow/Shoulder) - Full (1st string)
TE Harrison Bryant (Neck/Shoulder) - Full
LB Jamal Hill (Hamstring) - Full (3rd string)
LB E.J. Speed (Knee) - Limited (2nd string)
WR Justin Watson (Calf) - Full
Thursday, December 11
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Ankle) - Full (1st string)
DE Denico Autry (Knee) - Limited (2nd string)
OT Trent Brown (Hand) - Full (1st string)
RB Nick Chubb (Ribs) - DNP (2nd string)
T/G Tytus Howard (NIR-Personal) - DNP (1st string)
CB Kamari Lassiter (Foot) - DNP (1st string)
RB Woody Marks (Knee) - Limited (1st string)
DT Sheldon Rankins (Elbow/Shoulder) - Full (1st string)
TE Harrison Bryant (Neck/Shoulder) - Full
LB Jamal Hill (Hamstring) - Full (3rd string)
LB E.J. Speed (Knee) - Limited (2nd string)
WR Justin Watson (Calf) - Full
Wednesday, December 10
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Ankle) - DNP (1st string)
DE Denico Autry (Knee) - DNP (2nd string)
OT Trent Brown (Hand) - DNP (1st string)
RB Nick Chubb (Ribs) - DNP (2nd string)
CB Kamari Lassiter (Foot) - DNP (1st string)
RB Woody Marks (Knee) - DNP (1st string)
DT Sheldon Rankins (Elbow/Shoulder) - DNP (1st string)
TE Harrison Bryant (Neck/Shoulder) - Limited
LB Jamal Hill (Hamstring) - Limited (3rd string)
LB E.J. Speed (Knee) - Limited (2nd string)
WR Justin Watson (Calf) - Limited
