PSU Star among 2 Texans to Miss Steelers Game Week 4

The Houston Texans have placed former Penn State center Juice Scruggs on injured reserve, KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported Thursday afternoon, meaning he will miss at least the first four weeks of the season, and ruling him out of the Week 4 game between the Steelers and Texans.

#Texans placed Juice Scruggs (hamstring) and Cameron Johnston (calf) on IR, signed Michael Deiter to practice squad along with Dieter Eiselen and Lance McCutcheon, announced Mike Boone and Cory Littleton re-signings. Both signed identical deals they previously signed

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 31, 2023

Scruggs, a second-round pick, had a great preseason and was potentially slated to get some more playing time than originally thought in his rookie year. Despite the hamstring injury, Scruggs is eligible to play for the Texans in 2023, and can be activated any time after Week 4. His injury was part of the reason that the Texans agreed to trade a sixth-round pick to the Steelers for center/guard Kendrick Green.

Scruggs’ selection in the second round surprised many, including himself.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be in the second round,” an elated Scruggs told reporters via Zoom the night he was drafted. “I’m so thankful for this opportunity, for sure. … My heart just started racing, and I answered the call.”

Also not in the lineup that will be punter Cameron Johnson. He is dealing with a calf injury. The Texans do not have another punted on their 53-man roster, but Ty Zentner is on their practice squad.