Christian Kirksey Injury History & Analysis

The Texans are releasing LB Christian Kirksey, who played a full-time role and served as a captain for last year's team. In his place, LB Denzel Perryman has been working with Christian Harris as the top two LBs. Perryman has also worn the green dot on his helmet in preseason games, which means he's conveying play calls from the coordinator to the huddle. That points to a full-time -- or at least nearly -- role and big tackle upside for Perryman. We've moved Perryman up our IDP rankings (and removed Kirksey).

Texans LB Christian Kirksey has missed several recent days with a hamstring injury, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Rookie Henry To'oTo'o has reportedly filled in for Kirksey in the starting lineup. The team interestingly listed Denzel Perryman and Blake Cashman as starting LBs alongside Christian Harris on the initial "unofficial" depth chart. That could mean nothing, of course. And Wilson reports that Kirksey is expected to reclaim his post when ready. We consider Harris to be the only lineup lock at this point. Harris sits highest among the group in our IDP rankings.