Andre Hal's Hodgkin's Lymphoma is in remission.
Head coach Bill O'Brien made the announcement during his Wednesday morning press conference.
"I want to talk to you about something that's a lot bigger than football," O'Brien. "Dre Hal, his Hodgkin's lymphoma is in remission. He's a guy that's very special to me."
Hal learned he was in remission last Tuesday after meeting with doctors.
On June 8, the team announced the Texans safety had been diagnosed with the disease. On July 25 he was placed on the Non-Football Illness (NFI) list, and then moved to the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list on September 1.
He said a bout of blurred vision at practice back in May prompted a doctor's evaluation, and the diagnosis came shortly thereafter.
O'Brien said Hal's "very special" to him and pointed to the safety's leadership.
"He's been a leader for us, and just been an unbelievable guy," O'Brien said. ""Dre never wavered in his belief that he would beat it. And he has."
Hal, a 7th-round selection out of Vanderbilt in the 2014 NFL Draft, has nine career interceptions. He switched positions from cornerback to safety in 2015, and started 38 games there over the previous three seasons.
The team's head trainer Geoff Kaplan said Hal attacked the lymphoma in both traditional and non-traditional medical ways, as he "did things 'inside-the-box' and 'outside-the-box'" throughout his treatment.
"He never wavered in his faith or his spirit," Kaplan said.
After six weeks on NFI, Hal is eligible to return and start practicing. It's not a certainty that he'll return immediately after six weeks, though. 21 days after he returns to practice, the Texans can make a decision on whether to add him to the active roster or place him on injured reserve.
Check out some of the best shots of safety Andre Hal.
