Andre Hal took another big step in his return from Hodgkins Lymphoma.
After being declared in remission on September 26, the Texans announced Wednesday that Hal would be back at practice this afternoon. For the fifth-year safety, it was welcome news.
"It's very exciting," Hal said. "It's been a long wait for me."
Hal was diagnosed on June 8, and proceeded to a treatment plan that did not involve chemotherapy. All the while, he continued working out at the team facilities, going to meetings, and "staying on top of his X's and O's", according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
"We activated the 21-day window on him, so he'll be able to practice with the team," O'Brien said. "At any point in time over the 21-day window we can decide to activate him to the 53-man roster so we'll see where he's at and go from there. That's great news for 'Dre and for us."
Hal started all 16 games last season at safety, and has nine career interceptions since entering the NFL in 2014. His return will help bolster a defensive backfield that's had strong performances the last two weeks. Where he fits in that secondary is not a big deal to Hal. He's just happy to be back on the field with his teammates.
"That's up to the coaches," Hal said. I"'m a player. I'm going to play."
Hal and the Texans will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/16/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
TE, Antony Auclair
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt
DB, Terrence Brooks
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
OL, Cohl Cabral, #72
OL, Marcus Cannon
WR, Randall Cobb, #18
DL, Maliek Collins
WR, Chris Conley
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82
WR, Keke Coutee, #16
DB, Keion Crossen, #35
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
LB, Tae Davis
DL, Brandon Dunn, #92
LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53
WR, Alex Erickson
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
QB, Ryan Finley
OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77
LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB, Nate Hall, #48
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, Buddy Howell, #38
RB, Mark Ingram
TE, Ryan Izzo
LB, Jordan Jenkins
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32
P, Cameron Johnston
DB, Desmond King
LB, Christian Kirksey
DL, Shaq Lawson
RB, Phillip Lindsay
LB, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray
LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59
DB, Terrance Mitchell
WR, Donte Moncrief
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
WR, Chris Moore
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Hardy Nickerson
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
TE, Paul Quessenberry
DB, John Reid, #34
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers
WR, Andre Roberts
DB, Bradley Roby, #21
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith
OL, Jordan Steckler
OL, Lane Taylor
QB, Tyrod Taylor
DL, Vincent Taylor
LB, Joe Thomas
DB, Tavierre Thomas
OL, Cole Toner
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
DL, MeMarcus Walker
TE, Kahale Warring, #81
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
