Houston Texans rookie Kayden McDonald did not participate in a recent team practice due to an ankle problem. The 2026 first-round selection, chosen with the 36th overall pick after Houston moved up in the draft order, was one of two players absent from the session. His absence was attributed to a physical ailment rather than a scheduled rest day.
McDonald, a former Ohio State Buckeyes player who helped secure the 2024 College Football Playoffs national championship, is not currently listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart. Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle noted that McDonald was the only player missing from the viewing portion of the practice session.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has previously praised the rookie's development during the offseason, making his current limited participation a point of focus for the coaching staff.
Will Anderson Jr. also did not take part in the workout, but his absence was listed as a rest day, distinguishing his status from McDonald's injury-related limitation. The team will continue to assess McDonald's condition to determine if he can return to full participation before facing Buffalo.
No further details regarding the severity of the ankle issue or a specific timeline for his return were provided in the report.
