Overview
- The Texans’ linebacker E.J. Speed suffered partial tears to his quadriceps and quadriceps tendon during a weightlifting session, and he is scheduled for surgery, sources reported May 22.
- Dallas Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper is expected to perform the operation and medical estimates place recovery at roughly three months followed by additional rehabilitation with no firm return date.
- Houston is likely to put Speed on the active/PUP list to open training camp and could move him to reserve/PUP to start the regular season, a decision that would require him to miss at least four games.
- Speed’s absence reduces experienced linebacker depth and special-teams help, accelerating opportunities for rookies Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher and for backups such as Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill and Jake Hummel to take larger roles.
- Speed re-signed with the Texans this offseason on a two-year deal after totaling 62 tackles in 2025, and the team has signaled hope he can return later in the season if recovery progresses as expected.