Plenty of options to fill Cunningham’s spot

The Texans are shuffling the deck at inside linebacker with leading tackle Zach Cunningham out for at least a few weeks with a knee injury.

Cunningham got hurt against the Miami Dolphins.

The Texans are going to plug in outside linebackers Brennan

Scarlett and Peter Kalambayi, as well as backups Josh Keyes and Brian Peters. The Texans are optimistic that Kalambayi will return from a concussion this week, and Peters from an ankle injury.

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole is on injured reserve with a dislocated wrist and knee injury that required surgeries. He is eligible to be designated for return this season.

“It’s that time of the year where everybody’s dealing with injuries,” Texans coach Bill

O’Brien said. “We’ve got a number of candidates there.”

Scarlett played inside linebacker in high school and has also played defensive end in the past. He’s one of the Texans’ top special-teams contributors.

“I’m excited about playing there,” Scarlett said. “I played it a lot in high school. Sideline to sideline, see ball, get ball. It’s a matter of learning the coverages and running around and making plays.”

Keyes played well against the Dolphins after being signed early last week, making four tackles.

Michael Ciaglo / Staff photographer The Texans’ Brennan Scarlett (57) is excited about getting a chance to play some at the inside linebacker position instead of just staying on the outside. He played inside linebacker in high school.