The return of right guard Ed Ingram may be just as important for the Texans as that of Nico Collins

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins wasn’t the only starter on offense to return to the practice field this week.

Right guard Ed Ingram might not have the name recognition of Collins, nor the wideout’s pedigree as a No. 1 target, but his potential return from a groin strain will be a major addition for a Houston team looking to get its offense back in sync after two disappointing weeks.

“Ed plays physical, plays with low pads,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He can really displace the line of scrimmage really well when he does it the right way. I’m excited to get him back.”

Houston opened the season with a dynamic offensive output in the 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns. David Montgomery set a Texans record with three total touchdowns in his debut. Montgomery and Woody Marks combined for over 100 yards rushing. Despite the loss, Houston fans hoped it symbolized forward progress in the Nick Caley system after struggles in 2025.

But Houston hasn’t come close to that Week 1 level without Collins and Ingram the past two games. Stroud did throw for 353 yards in Week 2, but the offense scored zero touchdowns and the running game was nonexistent in a 20-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Then the Texans had just 223 yards in a Week 3 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m not worried about it,” Ingram said of the 0-3 start. “It’s still early in the season. We have a long way to go.”

While Stroud has been able to make plays without Collins, the run game has been far from where it needs to be without Ingram blocking. That includes multiple fourth-and-1 situations where Montgomery wasn’t able to get a yard to move the sticks.

Stroud said getting Ingram back would be a big plus for the team.

“He’s a force to be reckoned with,” Stroud said. “He’s gotten better at pass protection. He’s doing great in the run game, communicating better. I think he’s taking a step in this system. He’s a baller and I’m glad he’s on my team.”

If Ingram is available against the Cowboys, there would not be any other changes along the offensive line other than Ingram returning to his starting spot at right guard and Wyatt Teller returning to the bench, Ryans said.

Even though he only missed two weeks, Ingram said it felt like a long time coming to be back on the practice field. He said watching the game this past weekend from his house, not at the stadium, felt weird.

The Cowboys defensive line starts on the interior with defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, who have combined to make seven Pro Bowls. Ingram called the duo “two big dogs.” Stroud also highlighted edge rusher Rashan Gary as someone who has played at a high level for a long time.

But the Cowboys defense as a whole has just two sacks so far, third-worst in the NFL behind the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants. Dallas is also allowing 5 yards per rush, the fourth-worst mark in the NFL.

“At the end of the day, we play in the NFL,” Ingram said. “It’s not a little boys league. Every week is going to be a challenge. We play against some dogs up front. Every week we have a front that has first rounders or guys that’s top of the league. It’s just something that we got to be used to.”

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This article originally published at The return of right guard Ed Ingram may be just as important for the Texans as that of Nico Collins.