CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 29: Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. (number 51) celebrates a sack during the second quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Will Anderson Jr. has missed the past three weeks of Houston Texans training camp because of an ankle injury, and even when he has practiced, the former No. 3 overall pick has been working out separately from the rest of the team.
With roster cuts looming, attention now turns to the regular season and the Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Anderson's limited practice time puts his Week 1 eligibility in jeopardy for the reigning AFC South champions.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryan gave a positive update on Anderson, saying he's inching closer to full speed. What will his status be like against the Indianapolis Colts?
“We'll see how Will is over the next few days. He's doing really well.”
The former No. 3 overall pick proved to be a pillar of the team, recording seven sacks on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and finishing third among edge rushers in pass-rush win percentage, sandwiched between reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Myles Garrett and 2022 winner TJ Watt.
#Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans said the team will assess Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) in the next few days, adding that he is feeling great and is expected to be available for the season opener against the Colts on Sept. 8.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) August 26, 2024
Anderson, who only played in 15 games as a rookie, led Houston with 22 quarterback hits and was second in tackles for loss with 10. He tied J.J. Watt's rookie sack record and had a huge playoff win over the Cleveland Browns with three tackles for loss.
With the additions of Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shair, Houston's defense should be one of the league's best in 2024. The Texans already have Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre in the secondary, and both have looked much more skilled this preseason than they were last season.
But Anderson is the face of the defense, and Houston spent enough to move up nine spots in 2023 with the goal of grooming the Alabama star to be the next Watt.
At times, it was easy to imagine “The Terminator” looking like a younger three-time Defensive Player of the Year player, winning singles battles while breathing new life into Lyons' defense.
Houston is primed to advance to the division round for the first time in franchise history, and CJ Stroud has emerged as one of the league's rising stars offensively and should follow up on his record-setting rookie season.
The same can be said about Anderson, but his best asset over the course of the regular season is playing time, and Ryan's focus will be on getting Anderson to play more games than he misses in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: DE Will Anderson Jr. to play in season opener
