The Houston Texans have added veteran linebacker Kenneth Murray to the practice squad after placing starting linebacker Henry To’oTo’o on injured reserve, giving the defense an experienced option while it adjusts to an early-season loss in the middle of the unit.
ESPN reported Tuesday night that Murray, a former first-round pick, signed with Houston after a workout. The move came after To’oTo’o was moved to injured reserve with the shoulder injury he suffered late in the Texans’ Week 1 loss to Buffalo.
Why Houston moved quickly at linebacker
To’oTo’o was injured with 2:34 remaining in Houston’s 36-31 loss to the Bills. He had been an important part of the Texans’ linebacker rotation and entered the season with added organizational investment after signing a two-year, $16 million extension in August.
Landing on injured reserve guarantees that To’oTo’o will miss at least four games, forcing Houston to redistribute snaps and communication responsibilities during a stretch that begins with Cincinnati in Week 2. The Texans already elevated Jamal Hill from the practice squad, and Murray now gives the organization another veteran option who can be developed behind the active group.
The injury is another consequence of a difficult opener for Houston. FSN’s Week 1 recap of Buffalo’s 36-31 win over the Texans detailed a game in which Houston stayed competitive but could not finish enough late drives. Losing a defensive starter on top of the defeat makes the short turnaround more complicated.
What Kenneth Murray brings to the Texans
Murray entered the NFL as the No. 23 overall pick in the 2020 draft and has accumulated extensive starting experience across stops with the Chargers, Titans and Cowboys. ESPN noted that he has started 83 games over six NFL seasons and recorded 497 tackles, including 33 tackles for loss.
Most recently, Murray started 16 games for Dallas in 2025 and finished second on the team with 81 tackles. That experience is the main reason the practice-squad signing matters: Houston is not adding a developmental rookie who needs to learn the speed of the league from scratch.
At the same time, a practice-squad contract does not guarantee an immediate starting role. The Texans can use the week to evaluate how quickly Murray absorbs the defense before deciding whether an elevation is warranted. That gives Houston another option without forcing the roster into a rushed decision.
To’oTo’o’s absence tests Houston’s defensive depth
The Texans entered 2026 with legitimate expectations around a roster built to support C.J. Stroud and a defense that had become one of the team’s foundational strengths. FSN’s 2026 Texans outlook framed this season as an opportunity for Houston to push a real championship window open.
That kind of season depends on surviving injuries without a major drop-off. To’oTo’o’s IR placement creates an early test because linebacker responsibilities are not limited to tackling. The position can affect run fits, underneath coverage, pressure calls and communication before the snap.
Murray’s background gives Houston a player who has seen a wide range of NFL offensive systems. If he earns a game-day elevation, his experience could help reduce the burden on younger depth players while To’oTo’o recovers.
What to watch next
The next step is whether Murray is elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Bengals and how Houston divides linebacker snaps without To’oTo’o. Practice participation and game-day roster moves later in the week should provide the clearest indication of the Texans’ immediate plan.
For now, Houston has responded to a meaningful injury by adding a veteran with substantial starting experience. The move does not replace To’oTo’o one-for-one, but it gives the Texans more flexibility while their starting linebacker begins an extended absence.
Sources
- ESPN: Texans sign Kenneth Murray to practice squad after Henry To’oTo’o goes to IR (September 15, 2026)
- NFL.com: September 15 league news and transaction roundup (September 15, 2026)
- Texans Wire/Yahoo Sports: Houston works out Kenneth Murray after To’oTo’o injury (September 15, 2026)