Trade deadline passes with no moves

Opportunity knocked, the Texans didn't answer

Texans Will Fuller
This could come back to bite the Texans.Photo by Getty Images and Composite image by Jack Brame.
Will Fuller hints at a big change, but its benefit is debatable [Video]

There was a mild glimmer of hope for Texans fans when the front office announced the firing of then-head coach, general manager, and overall oligarch Bill O'Brien after an 0-4 start to the season. The move signified-at least for the moment-that the Texans were interested in making moves toward becoming a more competitive franchise.

Any notions of that have since been met with a bucket of cold water.

Tuesday afternoon saw the NFL trade deadline come and go with nary a phone call to the Texans' travel coordinator.

No one's headed in, and no one is headed out.

It wasn't much of a surprise, however. Texans chairman and chief operating officer Cal McNair had been interviewed the day before and the rose-colored lenses were on full display with regards to his 1-6 franchise:

There weren't even little things.

Still, there was hope that the message was simply a smokescreen and deals would still be discussed--which there were (we'll get to that).

Long shots to move were names like defensive end JJ Watt, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Others, like wide receiver Randall Cobb were mentioned, but none carried more trade value than wide receiver Will Fuller.

None moved.

Through the most basic logical parameters you can do nothing but conclude that there is hardly a more sell-off worthy candidate in football than the Houston Texans. They're a 1-6 team with holes up and down the roster and zero first day draft picks with which to remedy the situation. The only way out of that situation would be to sell assets, build draft capital, and at least attempt to flip that into a first or second round pick.

To be fair, there were discussions.

It seemed like there was a number between 2 and 4 that could have been discussed, and may very well have been. But the tweet alone shows just how out of touch the front office is with team prospects and player value. Fuller is a capable wide receiver, but his injury history has restricted him to 42 games out of the past 64 in his first four full seasons. Fuller was never going to fetch a second round pick. No one on the Texans was.

The Texans should be focused on the future, not on trying to sneak into an COVID induced expanded playoff scenario. This team has played all of the actual contenders already. That's why they're 1-6.

Staying put at the deadline affected more than the Texans' draft capital. It could also potentially affect the talent pool with which they'll have to choose from among general manager hires. Having extra draft picks could have been a selling point to a potential GM as an opportunity to put their own legitimate fingerprint on the franchise from the start. It's still possible, but a tougher sell.

Instead, the Texans left their fans with the same reaction Fuller himself had leading up to the trade deadline:

houston texanshoustontexansfootballwill fullerjj watttrade deadlinetradenflcal mcnair

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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