The Texans designated Smith (foot) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Analysis:Smith opened the regular season on IR due to a torn plantar fascia, a diagnosis that came with a 4-to-6 week recovery timeline. Now that he's been designated to return, Smith will have 21 days to be activated from IR, otherwise he would be forced to sit for the entire 2026 season. The 2018 second-rounder was limited in Wednesday's practice.
