How mounting injuries could influence major shift for CJ Stroud, Texans

TIME TO PIVOT

The Houston Texans have a huge game this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, and the outcome of this game could greatly impact the team's playoff chances.

But as of Thursday, CJ Stroud is still in the concussion protocol, Nico Collins hasn't practiced (calf), and Will Anderson Jr. is reportedly dealing with a high ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined.

And as much as we would love to see the Texans get into the playoffs, have we reached a point where looking ahead to next season should be the priority?

The Chargers placed QB Justin Herbert on IR this week, and shut down Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen. Why risk further injury to their top players when they no longer have a chance at making the playoffs?

For the Texans, though, they're still in this thing. And let's face it, CJ Stroud is going to want to play. He has a legit chance to lead the league in passing yards.

DeMeco Ryans is going to have some tough decisions to make over the next week or two.

Looking ahead

A lot can happen in just a few weeks. Tank Dell suffered a season-ending injury against the Broncos, and now Nico Collins is out with a calf injury, which caused CJ Stroud to have his worse performance of the year against the Jets.

The offensive line is banged up, and it's led to Stroud taking more hits. We're also realizing that receivers Noah Brown, Robert Woods, and John Metchie have become completely ineffective without Dell and Collins on the field.

It also looks like the Texans haven't learned their lesson from using Tank Dell in goal line situations to block between the tackles. Plus, Nico Collins has yet to play a full season. As good as they are, they appear to be injury prone.

So as we look to next season, there's no reason to bring back Brown and Woods. Brown has ZERO catches in the last two games and Woods has only reached 50 yards receiving twice this year and has -2 yards receiving in his last two games. Yes, you read that correctly.

The salary cap is going up, so why not look to sign Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman, or Mike Evans?

And don't stop there, add another receiver at the top of the draft and give Stroud as many weapons as possible.

There's so much more to talk about. Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss how the Texans should navigate the remainder of the season and beyond.

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The Astros beat the Twins, 10-3. Composite Getty Image.

Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.

Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.

Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.

Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.

Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.

The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.

There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.

The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.

Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.

The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.

Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.

Key moment

Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.

Key stat

The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.

Up next

Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.

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