Texans activate McDonald and Stewart, rule Smith out for Tennessee

The Texans activated defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and safety M.J. Stewart on Saturday, adding two defenders to their active roster before Sunday's trip to Tennessee. Tackle Braden Smith will not travel and has been ruled out with a foot injury, the team announced.

Houston also elevated cornerback Bryce Hall and linebacker Kenneth Murray from the practice squad for Week 5. Quarterback Mark Gronowski and receiver Bryce Oliver were waived to open roster space. The moves give Houston additional defensive options while leaving another absence to manage on the offensive line.

Activation does not settle Sunday's playing status. McDonald and Stewart remain listed as questionable on the team's Friday injury report. McDonald, recovering from an ankle injury, progressed from limited participation Wednesday to full practices Thursday and Friday. Stewart, listed with a knee injury, practiced fully all three days. The Texans' Saturday announcement confirmed their roster status without removing those game designations.

Smith had also been questionable after practicing fully Thursday and Friday. Saturday's update rules him out. Houston's report additionally lists tackle Aireontae Ersery, tackle Blake Fisher and guard Ed Ingram as questionable with illness. Those designations leave several line decisions to be watched before kickoff rather than establishing a particular replacement lineup.

NBC Sports reported that McDonald injured his ankle before Week 1 and Stewart had been recovering from a knee injury. McDonald was a second-round selection out of Ohio State in this year's draft. His addition brings another interior defender into the roster mix; the team has not announced a snap count or starting assignment for him.

Gronowski's and Oliver's stays on the active roster were brief. Houston's transaction record shows Gronowski was signed Wednesday and Oliver Thursday. Saturday's announcement closes those roster spots as the club prepares for its first divisional matchup of the season.

Houston and Tennessee enter the game at 0-4. The Texans' official preview identifies quarterback Cam Ward and a Tennessee offense averaging 261.3 yards per game through four weeks. Houston is trying to recover after allowing Dallas to win 34-30 last Sunday. The returning defenders give the coaches more available personnel for that effort, with Sunday's inactive list still needed to confirm who dresses.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern on October 11 at Nissan Stadium. CBS carries the game regionally. McDonald and Stewart's activations are complete; Smith's absence is confirmed.