Multiple Texans prominent players are limited due to worrisome

The Houston Texans are being cautious with key starters as they prepare for their Divisional Round battle against the Baltimore Ravens.

Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and offensive guard Shaq Mason did not practice on Tuesday due to a rest day.

Injuries prevented defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins (ribs/shoulder), fullback Andrew Beck (back), and defensive end Jerry Huges (ankle) from practicing.

Beck and Rankins participated in Saturday’s 45-14 wild-card playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns and were not limited in reps. Hughes was inactive after exiting early during the season-ending victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and Jonathan Greenard (ankle), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip), receivers John Metchie (foot) and Robert Woods (hip), and linebackers Blake Cashman (knee) and Denzel Perryman (ribs) were all limited. All seven players were active on Saturday and contributed to the win.

With weather conditions playing a role in Houston’s preparation, the seven names, along with Tunsil and Mason, could grow heading into Wednesday. Temperatures for Saturday’s matchup at M&T Stadium are expected to reach as high as 26 degrees for kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Houston faced off against the Ravens in the season-opener, losing 25-9. The offensive line was beaten, leading to a multitude of backups seeing action. C.J. Stroud, making his NFL debut, was sacked five times and coughed up a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to a 39-yard field goal from Justin Tucker.

The Texans kept things close early. Lamar Jackson was intercepted on the second drive by Steven Nelson in Houston territory to stop a scoring drive in its tracks. JK Dobbins scored the only first-half touchdown, while Ka’imi Fairbairn drained two field goals to make it 7-6 at the half.

Then came the third quarter and trouble. Baltimore scored 15 points to pull ahead and coast to a win. Justice Hill rushed for a pair of touchdowns while Gus Edward punched in a two-point conversion to make it a two-possession game.

While Baltimore blossomed into the AFC favorites en route to a 13-4 season, Houston rebounded following an 0-2 start. Stroud became one of the league’s top passers, Nico Collins transformed into a No. 1 target and the defense began to force multiple turnovers per game.