18 activated to face Chargers, including 4 regular starters

The Texans activated 18 players on Saturday for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium.

Four starters — guard Justin McCray, defensive end Jacob Martin, linebacker Christian Kirksey and cornerback Terrance Mitchell — were activated from the COVID-19 list.

The Texans also will have available receiver Danny Amendola and defensive end DeMarcus Walker, both of whom had been injured and were designated to return so they could participate in practice. Safety Terrence

Brooks also was among those activated from the COVID-19 list.

Eleven players were elevated to the active roster from the practice squad: kicker Dominik Eberle, receiver John Camp, running back Jaylen Samuels and offensive linemen Jordan Steckler and Jake Eldrenkamp, fullback Paul Quessenberry, defensive linemen Demone Harris and Michael Dwumfour, linebackers Connor Strachen and Josh Watson and defensive back T.J. Green.

The Chargers got back eight players from their COVID-19 list but lost starting receiver Mike Williams, defensive line coach Giff

Smith and assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett.

Their leading rusher, Austin Ekeler, remains on the COVID-19 list.

Returning for the Chargers were receiver Michael Bandy, running back Darius Bradwell, defensive lineman Andrew Brown, defensive back Ben DeLuca, outside linebacker Emeke Egbule, wide receiver Maurice Ffrench, defensive lineman Forrest Merrill and wide receiver Jason Moore Jr.

The Chargers also placed tight end Donald Parham Jr. on the COVID-19 list.