How Texans salvaged ugly win from controversial performance against Jaguars
TEXANS ON TAP
01 December 2024
TEXANS ON TAP
Joe Mixon ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, Nico Collins caught eight passes for 119 yards and the Houston Texans beat Jacksonville 23-20 Sunday after knocking quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of the game with a concussion.
The AFC South-leading Texans (8-5) won for just the second time in five weeks and staggered into their bye week with a little momentum.
Mixon became the third player in NFL history with at least 100 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in six road games in the same season. He joined Tiki Barber of the New York Giants (2004) and Derrick Henry of Tennessee (2020) in accomplishing the feat. Mixon is the first to reach the marks in his first six road games of a season.
He carried 20 times, none bigger than his 8-yard gain on third-and-5 in the waning minutes that moved the chains and sealed the victory.
C.J. Stroud completed 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards, with a 22-yard TD pass to Dalton Schultz early in the fourth quarter that essentially iced the game. It was Houston’s 12th win in its past 14 meetings with the Jaguars (2-10) and sixth in a row in Jacksonville.
Schultz became the latest tight end to burn the Jags, who have dropped five in a row and 15 of 18. He finished with five catches for 61 yards.
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap reacts live to the win on YouTube.
The game will be remembered for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s violent hit on Lawrence in the second quarter that prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Al-Shaair hit Lawrence with an elbow as the defenseless quarterback slid to the ground following a 6-yard scramble.
Lawrence clinched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense.
Tight end Evan Engram and several teammates attacked Al-Shaair, whose latest perceived cheap shot could result in a suspension.
Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital for tests. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though.
Mac Jones replaced Lawrence and threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He rallied the Jaguars from a 23-6 deficit in the fourth but didn't get the ball back.
Along with Lawrence, the Jaguars lost cornerback Tyson Campbell (thigh) and safety Darnell Savage (ankle).
Texans safety Jimmie Ward was evaluated for a concussion but cleared to return. Schultz injured his right shoulder but returned.
The Jaguars lost their running backs coach during the game. Kennesaw State announced Jerry Mack as its second head coach during the fourth quarter. Mack coached the game and is expected to move on afterward.
The Texans get a much-needed bye week.
The Jaguars play another division opponent, at Tennessee next Sunday.
Power forward Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension with Houston, according to a report from ESPN.
JABARI SMITH JR. GOT PAID 💰
(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/g28YXK1i8t
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 30, 2025
The deal is reportedly fully guaranteed and would keep Smith in a Rockets uniform through the 2030–31 season.
Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 12.2 points and seven rebounds last season, starting 39 of the 57 games he played. While injuries and inconsistency limited his minutes at times, the 21-year-old showed flashes of the two-way potential that made him a top lottery pick, and someone the Rockets clearly see as part of their long-term foundation.
The move signals continued trust in the franchise’s young core and a commitment to internal development as Houston builds toward sustained playoff contention.
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