The former Alabama linebacker is not ready to return to practice with the Houston Texans

NFL players who began the season on injured reserve were able to return to practice Wednesday, and 28 of them did so. But Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris wasn’t among them.

Harris, a third-round draft pick from Alabama in 2022, made 101 tackles for the Texans in his second season. A calf injury plagued Harris throughout training camp as he tried to prepare for his third season, and he was not ready to play at the start of the season.

Although Harris is eligible, he will not return to practice this week, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said.

“He’s still recovering,” Ryans said. “He’s doing well, he’s on the right track. We’ll get him when we get him.”

Harris’ absence has opened up playing time for another former Alabama linebacker, and Henry To’oTo’o leads the Texans with 32 tackles this season.

NFL rules require players on injured reserve to miss at least four games. With practice beginning in Week 5, IR players could return to work on Wednesday and teams have 21 days to add them to the active roster.

Those returning included Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (UAB), who are now considered reserve/injured and scheduled to return.

Like Harris, five other players with Alabama football roots who began the season on injured reserve and are expected to return in 2024 also did not return to practice Wednesday:

· Philadelphia Eagles defenseman James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford)

· Atlanta Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama)

· Detroit Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama)

· Jacksonville Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (Alabama)

· Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (Alabama)

Another player who was unable to return to practice on Wednesday was New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore. He is on reserve/NFI. Normally that represents a non-football injury, but in Barmore’s case the “I” represents illness. A blood clot problem has sidelined Barmore.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.