The Houston Texans' defense has dominated the start of training camp. Houston has had multiple defenders have big days, including defensive back Calen Bullock and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. That said, the Texans have also dealt with a few injuries on defense to start camp.
Third-year linebacker Christian Harris has missed the start of training camp after re-aggravating a calf injury. Harris missed the majority 2024 season with a calf injury. In addition to Harris, seventh-round rookie defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton suffered a significant leg injury during Wednesday's practice.
On Wednesday night, Aaron Wilson confirmed Hamilton will undergo surgery on Thursday afternoon and will be out for four months. This is unfortunate timing for a rookie who was battling for at least a spot on the practice squad.
#Texans rookie defensive lineman Kyonte Hamilton undergoing surgery Thursday afternoon, four-month recovery, injured reserve expected for former @RFootball standout who had played well before getting hurt today @KPRC2 https://t.co/uwRalJCGqx https://t.co/sewlbinPpK
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 31, 2025
Texans Rookie DT Kyonte Hamilton Expected to Miss 4 Months with Leg Injury
Hamilton's road to making the Texans roster in 2025 was going to be tough as a seventh-round pick. The former Rutgers defensive tackle spent four years with the program, recording 110 tackles, 11 TFLS, and six sacks.
Furthermore, Hamilton proved to be a force in both the run game and pass game his senior season, recording a run defense grade of 75.8 and a pass rush grade of 80.1, according to PFF. Although Rutgers isn't a powerhouse in the Big 10, the fact that he played at a high level against good competition earned him the seventh-round selection by Houston.
Still, Hamilton entered training camp as the fifth defensive tackle on the Texans' depth chart. The rookie is behind veterans Tim Settle Jr., Sheldon Rankins. Folorunso Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. Therefore, if Hamilton played well enough in training camp and the preseason to make the Texans' initial 53-man roster, he likely wouldn't have seen much playing time.
Even so, this injury might derail the development he could have had as a rookie. As Wilson mentions, Hamilton will be placed on injured reserve. Though he has the ability to be activated, off injured reserve teams don't typically do that with rookies who won't see much playing time.
As a result, Hamilton will likely be placed on season-ending IR when it's time to make final roster cuts. This effectively makes his rookie season a redshirt year, meaning his development will come through studying the playbook and film. While that may be helpful, Hamilton would much rather be able to at least practice with the practice squad.
Nevertheless, Texans fans will have to wait until next offseason to see what impact Hamilton can make.