Injury alarms: How critical setbacks could shift Texans' outlook against Titans
TEXANS NEWS
12 December 2023
With Blake Cashman likely out, Houston can't afford to lose Will Anderson. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans had their worst performance of the season on Sunday against the New York Jets, losing 30-6. And while the loss is certainly disappointing, the injury outlook for this week's game appears to be an even bigger area of concern.
The big story from the game was CJ Stroud leaving early due to a concussion. Davis Mills and Case Keenum will be next in line at QB if Stroud is out. And while we wait to see how he progresses through the concussion protocol this week, we have updates on some other injuries from Sunday.
Aaron Wilson is reporting that Blake Cashman and Tavierre Thomas are both dealing with hamstring injuries and aren't expected to play this week, per sources. Thomas has made most of his impact in recent weeks on special teams, so Houston should be able to fade his absence on defense. But Cashman is another story.
Sources: #Texans’ Blake Cashman, Tavierre Thomas to miss at least a week or two with strained hamstrings, Nico Collins' status still being determined, as C.J. Stroud remains in #NFL concussion protocol @KPRC2 https://t.co/WLvt7thK2g
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 12, 2023
Losing Cashman for any extended period of time will be a big blow to Houston. Cashman has been an integral piece to the Texans defense, with 51 solo tackles and 2 sacks on the season.
Losing a linebacker with Derrick Henry next on the schedule doesn't bode well for Houston.
Will Anderson left Sunday's game with an ankle injury, so he'll be someone to keep an eye on this week at practice. He has 5 sacks on the season and has been a critical addition, that has allowed the Texans to fix their run defense this season. Hopefully, he'll be ready to go come Sunday, because they need him badly.
On offense, the Texans could be without both Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins. Schultz is still working his way back from a hamstring injury, and Collins left Sunday's game early with calf discomfort.
On the bright side, Aaron Wilson is reporting that kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn is set to return this week after missing 5 games with a quad injury.
If this game comes down to a field goal, we'll feel a lot better with Fairbairn back in the fold.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
