Brown, Ward and Hansen ruled out

The Texans will once again be without a couple of key players Sunday when they host the Jaguars for first place in the AFC South.

Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (knee), safety Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and linebacker Jake Hansen (hamstring) were all ruled out of Sunday’s game, according to the team’s injury report.

This will be the second consecutive game Brown has missed and the third consecutive game for Ward and Hansen. However, Ward and Brown do seem closer to returning to the field.

Running back Dameon Pierce, who also hasn’t played in three weeks because of an ankle injury, was listed as questionable after practicing in full, as was rookie center Juice Scruggs, who practiced this week after spending the first three months of the season on the injured reserve.

Though Scruggs was listed as questionable and could be activated to the 53-man roster as soon as Saturday, he likely wouldn’t start. The rookie drafted in the second round of April’s draft hasn’t played all season and has only had a week of practice.

Center Michael Deiter, who has started the past four games at center after Jarrett Patterson suffered a major injury, has played well.

Also listed as questionable was quarterback Case Keenum, who is dealing with a calf injury.

Starters defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (knee), left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) were not given injury designations, meaning they will likely play.

The Texans (6-4) have won three consecutive games and could take over first place in the AFC South if they defeat the Jaguars (7-3) . The Texans split the series in 2022, but swept the Jaguars from 2018-21