Jake

Hansen

Houston will only have O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins (an elevation) active at tight end with TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) also ruled out on Friday. WR Tyler Johnson is active for the first time this season. Also inactive for the Texans are OL Austin Deculus (ankle), CB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, DL Michael Dwumfour, and DL Demone Harris.

Brown going may cut into the viability of OJ Howard as a barebones TE streamer this week -- Brown bounced back from a Thursday DNP with a full practice on Friday. Both will have some freed up targets by the absence of Brevin Jordan (ankle), who was ruled out on Friday. Also inactive for the Texans are DL Kurt Hinish (foot), OL Austin Deculus (ankle), DB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, and WR Tyler Johnson. No practice squad elevation for Jeff Driskel means the Texans will actually use backup QB Kyle Allen for the first time all season.

Johnson, who was claimed on waivers, seems to not be completely up to speed with the playbook just yet. Rasheem Green was the only player actually listed on the injury report, with a thigh injury that had him questionable, after the team sent Mario Addison to injured reserve. It’s a little surprising to see the supposed backup quarterback Allen inactive. Wallow, too, seemed to have his backers in the building though he missed plenty of training camp with an injury.

Hansen (6'1/230) took things a bit further than announcing he is done for the season, by informing the team and fans alike that he is calling it a career at Illinois, and looks forward to pursuing his dreams of playing in the NFL. Hansen had actually declared for the NFL Draft in 2021, but opted to return to Illinois after further consideration. Hansen registered 32 tackles on the season, including one sack and two forced fumbles. Phil Steele named Hansen as a Preseason All-Big Team first team linebacker.

Hansen (6'1/225) had initially declared for the NFL Draft back in late-December, however he elected to return to school before the March 1 upperclassman declaration deadline passed. The Tarpon Springs, FL product led Illinois in tackles with 68 along with 10.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two PBU and two forced fumbles. The redshirt senior received Second Team All-Big Ten accolades by the media and Third Team recognition by the coaches. An extremely productive player, his 10 career forced fumbles are tied for third most in program history and his PFF College 90.8 tackling grade led the nation this year. Hansen lacks the optimal size and athleticism to play middle linebacker but he has excellent instincts.

Hansen (6'1/225) led Illinois in tackles with 68 along with 10.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two PBU and two forced fumbles. The redshirt senior received Second Team All-Big Ten accolades by the media and Third Team recognition by the coaches. An extremely productive player, his 10 career forced fumbles are tied for third most in program history and his PFF College 90.8 tackling grade led the nation this year. Hansen lacks the optimal size and athleticism to play middle linebacker at the next level but he has excellent instincts. He projects as a late Day 3 NFL Draft prospect.

Hansen (6'1/225) is one of two key contributors who have not participated in pregame warmups, with WR Josh Imatorbhebhe being the other. The redshirt junior linebacker has appeared in nine games this season, tallying 72 total tackles (7.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Illinois will certainly miss Hansen’s presence on the field, due in large part to his big play ability.

Illini HC Lovie Smith termed Hansen’s knee injury a “significant” one. There is no current timetable for the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder’s return to action, but this sounds like it could keep him out for an extended amount of time, if not the entire season. Hansen appeared in all 12 of Illinois’ games last season, working mostly on special teams. He was a three-star recruit in the 2016 class.