Texans promote Hal to active roster with cancer in remission

The Houston Texans officially activated safety Andre Hal off the reserve/non-football illness list, the team announced Saturday.

Hal returned to practice Wednesday after undergoing treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma and appears set to make his season debut.

The Texans released a statement from team physician Dr. James Muntz in September revealing that Hal's cancer was in remission. The safety has been on the non-football illness list since June.

The 26-year-old chose to avoid chemotherapy treatment to help preserve his body with an aspiration to play this season. He then followed a plan that involved a drug administered through IV in order to treat lymphoma found in his armpit and abdomen.

Hal signed a three-year, $15-million contract extension with Houston last year. He accumulated 71 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions during the 2017 season.