Communication key minus ‘B-Mac’

When middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney was placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery, the Texans lost one of their top players as well as their signal caller on defense.

“It’s always hard to replace a real good player,” Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “B-Mac is a real good player. He’s a real good leader, good communicator out there. He kind of runs the defense. Not having him out there, we have to reinforce our communication.

“Everybody has to do more communicating so that we can get everybody on the same page. B-Mac used to be the guy that did it. He could get the linemen lined up, he can help with adjustments. He did it all. Plus, he’s a really good player. When you lose a really good player, it’s hard to replace right away.”

Without McKinney, the Texans will rely on Zach Cunningham and new starter Tyrell Adams. Adams had a career-high 13 tackles as McKinney’s replacement vs. the Jaguars.

The Texans also signed veteran linebacker Kyle Emanuel off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad and signed former Rice linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee to the practice squad.

Emanuel, 28 is a former Chargers fifth-round draft pick and Buck Buchanan award winner from North Dakota State who retired last year before restarting his career this year. Emanuel visited the Texans during training camp.

TE Akins has high-ankle sprain

Tight end Jordan Akins is recovering from a highankle sprain, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

Akins missed the Texans’ win over Jacksonville after injuring his ankle against Minnesota, when he also sustained a concussion.

Akins hasmade some progress in his recovery from the injury in terms of being able to run and improvement with the flexibility of his ankle.

Before the injuries, Akins was off to the best season of his career with 14 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown on 15 targets. With Akins out, Darren Fells had a 44-yard touchdown against Jacksonville, and Pharaoh Brown had one catch.

“Yeah, he’s a guy that can change the game for sure and do a lot of different things,” Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “Of course, we want him out there, but we want tomake sure he’s healthy and he’s getting back when he needs to get back and he’s feeling very, very well.”

Team wearing face shields

The Texans are wearing Oakley face shields on their helmets during practice as a precautionarymeasure because of COVID-19.

They started wearing them last week, according to safety Justin Reid.

“I feel like the league’s done a decent job about it,” Reid said. “I’m not the biggest fan of the facemask shields that we had to do in practice, but it’s what we have to do.

“We did that all throughout last week. I believe it came down from the league. They wanted us to do it.”

Watt is OK with Pro Bowl decision

Texans defensive end J. J. Watt isn’t lamenting the NFL’s decision to not hold a Pro Bowl game after the season.

The league announced Wednesday that instead of an actual game, it will have activities to honor players named to the annual allstar game. The 2022 Pro Bowl was awarded to the city of Las Vegas.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection who had an interception and a fumble recovery in the 2015 Pro Bowl and was last named to the Pro Bowl two seasons ago, Watt isn’t complaining about the decision to not hold the Pro Bowl during a coronavirus pandemic.

“No problem, sounds good,” Watt said with a deadpan reaction. “That’s it. That sounds like a plan.”