Cowboys quietly become part of Texans’ season-saving recovery plan amid brutal news

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May 23, 2026 - 14:17

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Cowboys quietly become part of Texans’ season-saving recovery plan amid brutal news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Texans and their supporters were hoping to enter Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills with a fully healthy squad, but that goal has taken an early hit. Linebacker E.J. Speed reportedly suffered a partial tear in both his quadriceps and quadriceps tendon while lifting weights, according to KPRC 2 Houston Texans reporter Aaron Wilson.

Speed is expected to undergo surgery, with Dallas Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper reportedly set to perform the procedure. Amid the severity of the injury, there is optimism that the operation could still allow him to return later in the season, but the exact recovery timeline remains unclear.

According to Wilson, medical expectations currently point to a recovery of at least three months, followed by rehab, with some hope that he can make it back during the year.

Speed is a former fifth-round pick, as he was selected 164th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He later signed with the Texans in free agency in 2025 and is entering his eighth NFL season. The Texans re-signed him earlier this offseason to a two-year, $13 million deal.

Speed recorded a career-best 142 combined tackles in his final season with the Colts. With the Texans last season, he totaled 62 tackles, starting nine of his 16 appearances. He also played 44% of defensive snaps and a significant 52% of special teams snaps, making him an important part of both units.

The injury is a big blow to the Texans’ defensive depth at linebacker, especially in the front seven. The bad news also comes at a difficult time before offseason training has fully ramped up. It immediately speeds up the development timeline for several young defenders who now face larger roles sooner than expected.

Behind the Texans’ two starters, the linebacker depth chart without Speed includes Wade Woodaz, Jamal Hill, Aiden Fisher, Marte Mapu, Jake Hansen, and Jake Hummel. With Speed out, players like Mapu now have a big opportunity to push for a 53-man roster spot and compete for both special teams and linebacker snaps.