Smith Clears for Buffalo, and Houston Can Finally Stop Holding Its Breath

Braden Smith was carted off Wednesday's joint practice with the Raiders, and for about 24 hours this offensive line story had a very different ending in mind. It doesn't. Reporting out Thursday indicates Smith avoided long-term injury and is expected to be available for the Week 1 opener against Buffalo.

That's a meaningful exhale for a team that has spent most of August absorbing bad news. The right tackle spot matters in this offense — Stroud needs a clean pocket, and the Bills will bring pressure. Losing Smith for any stretch of time would have forced Houston to piece together its line at the worst possible moment.

Ali Gaye, the reserve defensive end who was also carted off Wednesday, remains questionable, as does Jadeveon Clowney. The defensive end depth chart has some questions to sort before the opener, but the Smith news takes the sharpest edge off what looked like a genuinely rough 24 hours for the roster. Houston has had enough of those this August.