TEXANS VS. STEELERS
What (and who) to expect when Houston Texans square off with Steelers
Aug 6, 2024, 12:39 pm
The Texans starters are expected to play against Pittsburgh. Composite Getty Image.
When it comes to NFL preseason games, you're never sure what you're going to see. Some coaches hold out their starters completely, while others like to get them reps in a game setting.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans falls in the second category. Ryans told the media on Monday, that starters will see some action against the Steelers this Friday.
To what extent we see the starters is still unknown. Will it be one series, maybe two? Will this be the first time we see CJ Stroud throwing to Stefon Diggs in live game action? We'll have our answer soon enough.
If we are going to see Stroud this Friday, protection is going to be paramount. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil won't be playing this week, as he's still working his way back from offseason surgery. Right tackle Tytus Howard left Tuesday's practice, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson.
Tytus Howard leaving field with trainer walked under own power headed inside on golf cart for further examination @KPRC2 https://t.co/Hr7CKYsWKT
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 6, 2024
Details of what caused Howard to leave practice aren't clear. He was in the medical tent before leaving the field, so something has to be bothering him.
There's no reason to rush him back this early in the preseason, so he may not be available to play on Friday. Tackle Charlie Heck is working through plantar fasciitis, we don't expect him to play this week either.
With that in mind, how much do the Texans want to put Stroud at risk behind backup tackles against the Steelers in August? Probably not much. Stroud tossed three interceptions in Tuesday's practice, for what it's worth.
We also shouldn't expect Joe Mixon to play, he's still dealing with a quad injury and not practicing. Which might be a good thing. Houston needs to see what they have at running back behind Mixon.
We expect to see Dameon Pierce this week after being held out of the Hall of Fame game. Hopefully he looks more comfortable in the offense after another offseason to get acclimated.
One of the most exciting battles to watch will be the fight for the number three running back. Dare Ogunbowale should have a good shot to return in that role, but Cam Akers showed some “juice” against the Bears. Especially in the passing game. Jawhar Jordan, JJ Taylor, and British Brooks should also see some reps.
Defense
Linebacker Christian Harris hasn't been practicing, and rookie corner Kamari Lassister hasn't practiced this week. DE Danielle Hunter returned to practice on Tuesday. Coach Ryans told the media on Monday that both Hunter and Will Anderson are fine, despite not practicing on Monday.
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime is reporting that corner Jeff Okuhah and Desmond King both were out of practice on Tuesday.
Danielle Hunter IS practicing today.
Kamari Lassiter is NOT practicing.
Desmond King is NOT practicing
Will Anderson is NOT practicing
Jeff Okudah is NOT practicing.
LT, Joe Mixon, Christian Harris aren’t either but that’s not new. But they ll be back eventually
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 6, 2024
We'll continue to monitor practice reports as we get closer to game day this Friday!
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Early breakdown of how Astros stack up against potential playoff opponents
Sep 17, 2024, 5:03 pm
Though they have plenty of work to do, the Houston Texans are feeling good about their 2-0 start after dropping their first two games last season.
The Texans scored just three points after halftime Sunday night, but a smothering defensive performance allowed them to hold on for a 19-13 win over the Bears. The victory has them in early control in the AFC South after the Colts, Titans and Jaguars have all opened the season 0-2.
It’s the first time since 2016 that Houston has won its first two games.
“I definitely know that Texans football was not what we put on the field (Sunday), at least in the second half,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “We’ll definitely be better, for sure."
Stroud threw for 260 yards and a touchdown, but the Texans punted on five of their seven possessions in the second half and fumbled on another drive. Their only points after halftime came on a field goal early in the fourth quarter.
“Second half we were just flat,” Stroud said. “Just needed a big play or just needed (to) stack plays really. We just couldn’t find our rhythm.”
One thing that slowed the Texans on Sunday was their inability to run the ball effectively. Houston managed just 75 yards rushing against the Bears after leading the NFL with 213 yards in Week 1.
“They had a lot of penetration,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We weren’t able to have the lanes that we had the previous weeks. Something we have to clean up on the offensive side and make sure we just continue to get a head on the hat no matter what they show us.”
The running game was slowed because of an ankle injury to Joe Mixon, who had 159 yards rushing in the opener. He was injured early in the third quarter and returned near the end of the period, but had just two carries for 5 yards the rest of the game as he dealt with the injury. He finished with nine carries for 25 yards.
Ryans said that Mixon got “rolled up” and that it’s too early to know if he’ll play next week.
What’s working
The Texans were relentless in their pressure on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams Sunday night. Houston pressured Williams, the top overall pick in the draft, on 36 of his 37 pass attempts, according to NextGenStats.
Defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter combined for 17 pressures and the Texans piled up seven sacks, which is tied for the second most in franchise history.
Houston had six different players with a sack Sunday night and the team’s nine sacks through two games ranks second in the NFL behind Minnesota’s 11 entering Monday.
What needs help
The Texans must get their running game back on track next week, which will be a tough task if Mixon can’t play. They could be without their top two running backs Sunday with Dameon Pierce dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the game against Chicago.
Stock up
K Ka′imi Fairbairn has been great this season, with Ryans crediting him for Sunday night’s win. He was 4-for-4 against the Bears, making kicks of 59, 56, 53 and 47 yards. He also made three field goals of 50-plus yards in Week 1 to become the first kicker in NFL history to make five or more field goals of 50 yards or longer in a two-game span.
His 59-yard field goal on Sunday night was the second-longest in franchise history behind a 61-yard kick he made in 2021.
“He’s been consistent,” Ryans said. “He’s on it. He’s the reason why we’re standing here. We talk a lot about offense and defense (but) the kicking game is the reason why we won this game.”
Stock down
RB Cam Akers. Pushed into action because of injuries, Akers fumbled on the Chicago 4 with about 6½ minutes left Sunday. The Bears recovered the ball and it led to a field goal that got them within a score with less than three minutes left.
Injuries
Mixon and Pierce are the main injuries the team is dealing with this week.
Key number
252 — Entering Monday, wide receiver Nico Collins leads the NFL with 252 yards receiving, which is the second most in franchise history in the first two games of a season. Collins, who had a career-high 1,297 yards receiving last season, had 135 yards receiving and a touchdown Sunday night for the seventh 100-yard game of his career.
Next steps
Stroud and Houston’s offense will look to clean up their play and move the ball more effectively when they face an early test in a visit to the Minnesota Vikings, who are also 2-0, on Sunday.