The Houston Texans had hoped right offensive tackle Tytus Howard would overcome a hand injury in time to play in Sunday’s season-opening game.

But that didn’t happen, and the former Alabama State standout will miss the Texans’ visit to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday as well as the three Houston games after that.

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The Texans placed Howard on injured reserve on Wednesday, and, by NFL rules, that requires at least a four-game stay on the sidelines before Howard can return. Howard also will be out for Houston’s games against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 17, Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 24 and Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1.

Howard signed a three-year, $56 million contract extension in July, but he suffered a hand injury that required surgery early in training camp.

When the Texans chose Howard at No. 23 in the 2019 NFL Draft, he became the first first-round pick produced by Alabama State, and he remains the Hornets’ most recent drafted player. But that was only one of the unique aspects of Howard’s journey from quarterback at Monroe County High School to Houston’s 322-pound right tackle.

Howard made his NFL debut at left guard, then switched to right tackle for the remainder of his rookie season until a knee injury in the 12th game prematurely ended his first campaign.

Howard stayed at right tackle in 2020, but he spent most of the 2021 campaign working a left guard and left tackle. In 2022, Howard started every game at right tackle for the Texans.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.