# Texans promote Jamal Hill after To'oTo'o injury

> Houston signs linebacker from practice squad to fill roster spot after Henry To'oTo'o lands on injured reserve with shoulder injury.
- Title: Texans promote Jamal Hill after To'oTo'o injury | Shortify
- Summary: Houston signs linebacker from practice squad to fill roster spot after Henry To'oTo'o lands on injured reserve with shoulder injury. The Texans promoted…
- Keywords: houston texans, jamal hill, henry to'oto'o, nfl, linebacker, injured reserve, practice squad, demeco ryans, jake hansen, wade woodaz, buffalo bills, jacksonville jaguars
- Source: Houston Texans On SI — https://si.com/nfl/texans/onsi/texans-sign-familiar-face-to-53-man-roster-after-henry-to-oto-o-injury
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:35:52+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: houston texans, jamal hill, henry to'oto'o, nfl, linebacker, injured reserve, practice squad, demeco ryans, jake hansen, wade woodaz, buffalo bills, jacksonville jaguars
## To'oTo'o headed to injured reserve
Veteran linebacker Henry To'oTo'o suffered a shoulder injury that will sideline him for roughly two months. The Texans placed him on injured reserve following their Week 1 loss.
## Hill promoted from practice squad
The Texans signed linebacker Jamal Hill from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. He fills the hole left by To'oTo'o's absence.
## Two month timeline for return
To'oTo'o is expected to miss around two months with his injured left shoulder. He won't be eligible to return until at least Week 6 against Jacksonville.
## Ryans confirmed the absence
Head coach DeMeco Ryans hinted at the injury during his Monday press conference. The IR designation made it official after the Buffalo Bills loss.
## Hill drafted by Houston in 2024
The 6-foot, 227-pound Hill is entering his fourth pro season. He was selected on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Texans.
## Converted from safety to linebacker
Hill has been a depth piece on Houston's roster for two years. He transitioned from playing safety to linebacker during his time with the team.
## Limited defensive production so far
Hill has played 20 games with the Texans since 2024. He's collected 10 combined tackles and one forced fumble in those appearances.
## Special teams is his specialty
Hill has logged over 350 special teams snaps in the past two seasons. His usage nearly doubled from 126 snaps to 239 last year.
## Barely missed initial roster cut
Hill was in the mix to make the 53-man roster during training camp and preseason. He landed on the practice squad as a cutdown day casualty.
## Now eligible for active roster
Hill is back on the 53-man roster rather than just a practice squad elevation. He has a chance to be active on game days any given week.
## Expected to focus on special teams
Hill will likely handle special teams duties like he did in 2025. In games he was active, he played in 75% of special teams snaps.
## Hansen or Woodaz for starting role
Veteran Jake Hansen got seven defensive snaps after To'oTo'o's injury. Fourth-round rookie Wade Woodaz also looked solid in preseason and could compete for the starting job.
## Key takeaway

The Texans promoted familiar face Jamal Hill from the practice squad after losing starter Henry To'oTo'o to a two-month shoulder injury.