4:02pm: McDonald is dealing with a sprain, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. It is unclear if it will sideline McDonald for more than four weeks, but Wilson reports that he is expected back sometime this season.
2:26pm: Texans rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald will begin his career on IR because of an ankle injury, the team announced. He is required to miss at least four games. To take McDonald’s roster spot, the Texans signed defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy off the Packers’ practice squad.
Already boasting one of the NFL’s most talented defenses, the Texans traded up two spots in the second round to draft McDonald with the 36th overall pick. McDonald joined the Texans after playing three seasons at Ohio State, where he broke out as a first-year starter in 2025. On his way to a unanimous All-America nod and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors, the 6-foot-2, 326-pounder racked up 65 tackles (nine for loss) and three sacks in 14 games.
The McDonald-less Texans open against four prospective playoff contenders: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dallas. McDonald will be eligible to return against the Titans in Week 5. While McDonald was not on track to begin his career as a starter, he could at least offer valuable depth – particularly against the run – when he debuts.
As the Texans wait for McDonald to factor in, they will lean on Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai in the middle of a D-line that lost Tim Settle to Washington in free agency. Free agent addition Logan Hall and Mario Edwards Jr.. will offer experienced depth behind Rankins and Togiai.
Crumedy, a 2024 sixth-rounder from Mississippi State, combined for eight appearances and 15 tackles with the Panthers over his first two seasons. The 6-2, 305-pounder signed a reserve/futures deal with Green Bay over the winter, but he did not makes the team’s initial 53-man roster. Crumedy, who stuck around on the Packers’ practice squad, now has a 53-man opportunity with the Texans.
