Injury alarms: How critical setbacks could shift Texans' outlook against Titans
TEXANS NEWS
12 December 2023
TEXANS NEWS
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.
Jalen Green scored 32 points ahd had 11 rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on Tuesday night.
Fred VanVleet shot 5 of 14 from the field, including 3 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 8 for 8 from the line to add 21 points. Tari Eason had 14 rebounds.
Dyson Daniels led the Hawks with 19 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and four steals. Trae Young added 19 points and 12 assists for Atlanta.
The Rockets took the lead with 1:13 remaining in the first quarter and did not give it up. The score was 65-48 by halftime, with Green scoring 14 points.
The Rockets led by 20 after three quarters. The Hawks pulled within 98-94 with 7:20 left after a 17-2 run.
The Rockets were outscored by the Hawks in the second half by 10 points.
Hawks: Atlanta had won three straight, but the Hawks made just 15 of 49 3-pointers against the Rockets — not what a team trying to avoid the play-in tournament needed.
Rockets: Houston strengthened its hold on the No. 2 spot in the West. With the win the 47-26 Rockets are now two games ahead of Denver, which was idle Tuesday night. Houston has won 10 of its last 11 games.
VanVleet mad 4 of 4 free throws in the final 14 seconds after Georges Niang had pulled the Hawks within 117-114 with a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left.
Houston made 26 of 29 free throws.
The Hawks visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night. The Rockets play at the Utah Jazz the same night.