Smith’s activation gives Texans another tackle option before London

Houston has another tackle available for its London trip. The Texans activated Braden Smith from injured reserve Wednesday, adding experience to the offensive line before their divisional game against Jacksonville.

Houston confirmed the move in a roster announcement that also added quarterback Mark Gronowski and receiver Bryce Oliver to the practice squad. Smith is joining the active roster; the other two players are returning to the developmental unit.

Smith has been out with a foot injury. He went on injured reserve before Week 1 and returned to practice last week, NBC Sports reported. Wednesday’s transaction moves him beyond the practice-window stage and back onto Houston’s roster.

The announcement does not name a starting right tackle or specify how many snaps Smith will play. His activation gives Houston another available lineman for its upcoming divisional matchup without settling those separate lineup decisions.

Smith joined the Texans this offseason after eight seasons with Indianapolis. Houston’s official roster identifies him as a ninth-year tackle, adding an experienced option as the team prepares for its second consecutive road game.

The Texans enter the London trip at 1-4 after beating Tennessee 26-3 on Sunday. The Jaguars are 4-1. That puts Smith’s return ahead of a matchup with the AFC South opponent Houston is trying to catch, although one roster move does not determine how the line will perform.

The practice-squad additions are part of the same Wednesday announcement. Gronowski is a rookie quarterback out of Iowa, while Oliver is a third-year receiver from Youngstown State, according to the team’s roster release.

Those signings add depth alongside the active-roster change. The confirmed availability development is Smith’s activation from injured reserve. Houston still has to determine how to use him against Jacksonville.

Sources

Texans: Smith active; Gronowski and Oliver on practice squad · Smith return precedes London trip · NBC: Smith returns from foot injury