Tag: 2024 Houston Texans

Texans to receive performance from Beyoncé as a halftime Christmas present

Beyoncé is headed back to Houston for the holidays and the Texans’ game against the Ravens.

Queen Bee takes center stage this holiday season at NRG Stadium.

Superstar singer and 32-time Grammy Awarding-winning entertainer Beyoncé will perform at halftime of the Houston Texans’ Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team and Netflix announced Sunday night.

Houston, which also plays on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Cheifs, returns five days later to participate in one that will be streamed exclusively on Netflix. The Chiefs will open the afternoon with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at noon.

A native of Houston, Beyoncé’s performance will air exclusively on the streaming site as part of the flare. This marks the first time she’s performed at an NFL event since her collaboration in 2016 with Coldplay and Bruno Mars at Super Bowl L in Santa Clara, California.

That performance ended up being one of the most-watched Super Bowl halftime shows, with 115.5 million tuned to see her perform “Formation.”

The concert will also mark the first time she’s performed songs from her Cowboy Carter album, which was nominated for 11 Grammys.

“Your early Christmas wish has been granted as Beyoncé will perform during Netflix’s first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday live on Netflix this December 25,” a statement released by Netflix read. “The performance will take place during the second of Netflix’s two games, as the Houston Texans host the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium at 4:30 PM ET.

This performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, produced by her company, Parkwood Entertainment and Jesse Collins Entertainment, will be the first live performance of songs from her genre-bending and record-breaking COWBOY CARTER, album. The 11-time Grammy-nominated, juggernaut recently became the most nominated album by a female artist.”

The Netflix Christmas Day games will air on broadcast TV in the competing team cities and be available on U.S. mobile devices with NFL+.

Texans to honor legendary WR’s Hall of Fame induction against Colts

The Houston Texans will honor Andre Johnson once more after securing his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Andre Johnson is the first Houston Texans player to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He’s also the first player in franchise history to have a day dedicated to him.

The Texans are calling Sunday’s Week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts the AJ 80 Hall of Fame game as they honor the legendary receiver for his efforts over his 12 seasons with the AFC South franchise.

During halftime, Johnson will receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring on the field. He’s already received the gold jacket and the ring will complete the set of gifts given from Canton, Ohio.

Johnson, who remains the franchise’s all-time leader in every receiving category, will be honored before the game with a pregame pep rally in the stadium’s southeast corner.

To begin the events, Johnson’s family will handle the team’s ‘H’s Up tradition.’ After the team takes the field, Johnson will join the captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss.

Drafted third overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson quickly became the Texans’ first star player, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and a pair of first-team All-Pro nods. He also played for the Colts and the Tennessee Titans before retiring after the 2016 season.

For his career, Johnson finished with 1,062 receptions, 14,185 receiving yards and 70 touchdown receptions. He ranks 11th all-time in receptions and receiving yards and 49th all-time in touchdowns.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Colts vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

Here are the latest updates and news on the Houston Texans injury report ahead of Week 8’s game against the Indianapolis Colts following Thursday’s practice.

Another day, another set of reps for Kamari Lassiter.

The Houston Texans rookie cornerback was once again a limited participant in practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s matchup at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

Lassiter, the Texans’ second-round pick out of Georgia, had been dealing with a scapula fracture, a rare football injury involving the back of the shoulder blade suffered during an offensive pass interference infraction against the Buffalo Bills. He’s missed the last two games, but practicing is a promising sign.

Things, however, could be trending down for linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. After returning to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday, the second-year starter returned to the injury report.

He didn’t play last week and might not be cleared after taking a step back.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and defensive back Jimmie Ward (groin) missed practice for the fifth consecutive day. According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Ward is expected to miss his third consecutive game due to injury.

Rookie Calen Bullock, who totaled his third interception in Week 7, is expected to start opposite Eric Murray.

Al-Shaair, who left in Week 6 during the third quarter, could be a game-time decision. Earlier Wednesday, Houston signed former first-round pick Devin White to the active roster for depth purposes.

Both receivers Robert Woods (foot) and Steven Sims (back) were back running drills during Thursday’s practice. Woods, who was limited, hasn’t played since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills.

Sims, who was a late addition to the injury report last week, should be good to go for the home matchup.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil returned at full capacity and shouldn’t miss any extra time. Reserve cornerback D’Angelo Ross, who started in Lassiter’s place last weekend, was out due to an illness.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Texans and Colts after Thursday’s practice. With a win on Sunday, the Texans would finish with at least a .500 record in divisional play for 2024.

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DB Jimmie Ward groin DNP DNP
LB Azeez Al-Shaair knee DNP DNP
WR Steven Sims back DNP FP
WR Robert Woods toe DNP LP
DE Will Anderson Jr. chest LP FP
CB Kamari Lassiter shoulder LP LP
LB Henry To’oTo’o concussion LP DNP
DL Foley Fatukasi shoulder LP LP
CB D’Angelo Ross illness — DNP
OT Laremy Tunsil ankle LP FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Indianapolis Colts

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DE Gernard Avery foot DNP DNP
LB Jaylon Carlies fibula DNP DNP
WR Josh Downs toe DNP FP
OL Ryan Kelly calf DNP FP
CB Chris Lammons ankle DNP FP
WR Michael Pittman Jr. back DNP FP
OT Braden Smith knee DNP FP
DL DeForest Buckner ankle LP FP
RB Jonathan Taylor ankle LP FP
WR Ashton Dulin knee FP FP
LB Cameron McGrone elbow FP FP
LB E.J. Speed knee FP FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

DeMeco Ryans breaks down Texans signing of Pro Bowl LB Devin White

Here’s why the Houston Texans brought in former Pro Bowl cornerback Devin White.

Why did the Houston Texans sign former Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White?

Is it because third-year starter Christian Harris will miss the remainder of the season?

Is it because Azeez Al-Shaair is set to go to the injured reserve?

Nope. Both would be valid reasons for the Texans to bring in the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers captain, but it’s not why he’s now suiting up for the AFC South favorites.

“We wanted to add him to give him an opportunity to see where he can come in and help us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said when asked why they signed White. “That’s what it was about.”

The Texans need linebacker depth following Sunday’s loss against the Green Bay Packers. Herny To’oTo’o, who was out last week due to a concussion, still hasn’t been cleared by the team’s medical staff to play this week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Al-Shaair, who suffered a knee injury in Week 6, did not practice on Wednesday and could miss his second consecutive game. Harris, who’s been  on the injured reserve since the start of the season, is making progress but isn’t expected back for at least a few more weeks.

Enter White, a former first-round pick out of LSU and do-it-all defender for the Buccaneers during their Super Bowl run in 2020. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

Last season in 13 games, White finished with 83 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions. He signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles but never played a down before being released earlier this month.

Just because he didn’t play doesn’t mean the Texans don’t envision White in the same light as the Eagles.

“He went top 10 in the Draft, I mean, he was an exceptional talent,” Ryans said. “So, what happened and why he’s here, no one knows.

“You just have to keep punching, keep attacking each day with the right mindset and opportunity for Devin is to come in here and compete. Again, nothing’s promised. We don’t know what the future holds.”

After Sunday’s game, the Texans have a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets. White might not play this week, but there’s a chance he’ll be caught up to speed in time to see meaningful reps against Aaron Rodgers and Co. at MetLife Stadium.

Ryans, however, isn’t ruling out White from playing on Sunday in Houston just yet.

“We’ll work with him and see where he is. Try to get him caught up to speed to see if he can help us,” Ryans said. “So, it’s an opportunity for Devin to compete. Come in, learn how we do things and see how he can fit in and how he can help us.”

Texans vs. Packers, Week 7 injury report: Wednesday

Here’s the injury report from Wednesday’s practice in preparation for the Houston Texans’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers ahead of their Week 7 matchup at Lambeau Field:

Houston Texans (4-1)

Did not practice

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • WR Robert Woods (foot)
  • CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder)
  • LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (groin)
  • DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder)

Limited participation

  • RB Joe Mixon (ankle)
  • LB Del’Shawn Phillips (hip)
  • OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle)

Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Did not practice

  • DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
  • OL Elton Jenkins (knee)
  • DL Colby Wooden (knee)

Limited participation

  • CB Jaire Alexander (groin)
  • DL Kenny Clark (toe)
  • TE  Tucker Kraft (groin)
  • C Josh Myers (ankle)
  • WR Jayden Reed (ankle)
  • WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder)
  • WR Christian Watson (ankle)

Full participant

  • DL Jonathan Ford (calf)

Kickoff from Lambeau Field is scheduled for noon CT. The Packers open as a -2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.

Could the Texans reach out to former Jets coach Robert Saleh for help?

Could a reunion happen between Robert Saleh and the Houston Texans before Week 9’s game against the New York Jets?

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is still waiting for his next opportunity after being fired last week amid a 2-3 start to the regular season.

Could his next destination be on the sidelines at NRG Stadium while working underneath former colleague and current Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans? Right now, that doesn’t seem likely.

That doesn’t mean that Texans general manager Nick Caserio isn’t a fan of Saleh and what he brings to any organization defensively.

“Robert’s a really good coach,” Caserio said during his appearance on “Payne & Pendergast” Wednesday morning on SportsRadio610. “Robert did a really good job with their program. He’s very well thought of in the league. So, a lot of respect for him and what he did for the Jets and what he did here for the Texans organization as well. What conversations take place, those are up to the people involved. I’m not going to get fined for saying anything that I shouldn’t say.”

The connection between Saleh and the Texans is far. Prior to becoming one of the top defensive minds in the industry, he spent eight seasons in Houston working as an assistant.

Ryans’ impact also carries a little weight. When hired by New York in 2021, Ryans served as Saleh’s linebackers coach and eventually took over as the San Francisco 49ers’ new defensive coordinator.

Two years after carrying on the tradition that Saleh started, Ryans returned to the place that drafted him out of the University of Alabama in 2006.

The Texans face off against Saleh’s former team on Halloween, so the best revenge for the former coach would be to give away inside information on the opposing sidelines. It’s happened before. After Hue Jackson was fired by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, he joined the Cincinnati Bengals staff just in time to face off against those who sent him packing.

Cleveland got the last laugh since it defeated the Bengals. Caserio referred to the notion of what occurred back then, too. 

“I don’t think we’re going to see anything like that, you don’t have to worry about that,” Caserio said.

Saleh’s tenure in New York wasn’t great. He finished 20-36 and never posted a winning season, but not all was based on his coaching. New York never had stability at the quarterback position and struggled to find life behind underwhelming offensive line play. 

Saleh likely won’t return to Houston before Week 9’s matchup, but depending on how things go entering the offseason, he could be a prime candidate to join the staff for 2025.  

Texans land former top defensive recruit in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Ole Miss superstar Walter Nolen could be headed to NRG Stadium in 2025.

Currently, the Houston Texans’ top need is defensive back help. Jimmie Ward and Kamari Lassiter remained sidelined for the next several weeks due to injury. Rookie Calen Bullock, plus veterans Jalen Pitre and Eric Murray, have been hit-and-miss this season in man coverage. 

But what’s the Texans’ biggest need entering the offseason? For now, it remains defensive tackle. Houston chose to spend money elsewhere in the offseason, thus leading to one-year deals with Tim Settle, Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. 

The Texans would be wise to find an interior running mate to pair alongside Defensive Player of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr. and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter. That’s what ESPN has the Texans doing in its latest mock draft with the selection of Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen at pick No. 30. 

A true wrecking ball up the middle is one of the few missing ingredients for an elite football team in Houston. After two underwhelming seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen is having a breakout year in his first season at Ole Miss. He already has 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and 8 run stops. With aggressive hands and a sudden first step, he’s consistently able to defeat single blocks at the first level.

Formerly the No. 1 defensive recruit of the 2022 class, Nolen started two years for the Aggies before transferring this offseason. Despite the underwhelming results under then-coach Jimbo Fisher, Nolen flashed potential, totaling nine tackles for loss, 24 QB hits and four sacks. 

Entering the Rebels’ bye week, Nolen has been the anchor of a defense that leads the nation in run defense, holding opponents to 1.96 yards per attempt and 66.5 yards per game.

Edwards, Settle and Fatukasi call could cash in elsewhere this offseason, meaning Houston could bargain shopping once more to fill the void up the middle. Bringing in a player with a fifth-year option to shore up some money elsewhere makes not only sense on paper but also to a defense headlined by DeMeco Ryans. 

The Texans are also picking 30th, which means that ESPN believes Houston is poised to go on a postseason run.

To show up in the AFC title game for the first time in franchise history and land a potential All-American defensive lineman as the foundation of the run defense? It’s hard for Texans fans to hate that result entering 2025. 

Texans activate DL off injured reserve list

Kurt Hinish could be making his season debut this weekend for the Houston Texans.

Kurt Hinish could be making his season debut when the Houston Texans travel to Lambeau Field.

The veteran defensive lineman was activated off the injured reserve list on Tuesday.

A third-year defensive tackle out of Notre Dame, Hinsh was placed on the injured reserve after training camp with a calf injury. Houston chose to begin his 21-day recovery window last week, but he’s been limited at practice.

Last season, Hinish finished with 22 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

Hinish could factor into the rotation immediately with Mario Edwards Jr. being suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy.

The longtime defensive lineman won’t be eligible for reinstatement until Nov. 11 following Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Houston also is expected to have defensive tackle Denico Autry join the team following his six-game suspension. Autry, who signed a two-year deal this offseason following a breakout 11.5-sack season with the Tennessee Titans, was suspended on July 29 for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.

Kickoff against Green Bay is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans release former SEC standout from practice squad

Marcus Harris was officially released from the Houston Texans practice squad on Wednesday.

Marcus Harris could become a standout defensive tackle, but it won’t be with the Houston Texans. 

The Texans elected to release Harris from the practice squad to make room for wide receiver Jared Wayne. Wayne was previously a member of the Texans but was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

A standout at Auburn, Harris was selected in the seventh round in last year’s draft. He impressed during the final stages of training camp, but the team elected to release him during roster cutdowns.

After clearing waivers, Harris was signed to the practice squad. He was not elevated to the active roster despite the suspension of Denico Autry.

At Auburn, Harris totaled 97 tackles, 23.5 for losses and 11 sacks. In his All-SEC senior season, he recorded 40 tackles 11 for losses, seven sacks and one forced fumble.

The Texans travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots this Sunday at noon.

NFL analyst gives major praise to Texans QB C.J. Stroud entering Week 5

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud remains the talk of the NFL world entering Week 5’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

C.J. Stroud isn’t the next Patrick Mahomes, but the NFL analysts can’t stop gushing over his potential.

NBC Sports’ Chris Simms praised the second-year Houston Texans signal-caller following his 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday at NRG Stadium. Houston needed 59 minutes and 42 seconds to secure a victory thanks to a 1-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to running back Dare Ogunbowale.

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL,” Simms said during NBC’s Football Night in America broadcast. “And I’ll say this, too: I think he may be the best pocket-passing quarterback in all of football. He never misses a target.

“It doesn’t matter if you stop the Texans’ run game or not, because this guy at quarterback, with Nico Collins catching it on the other end, they’re almost unstoppable. C.J. Stroud I can not say enough good things about.”

Simms is right. The duo of Stroud and Collins has been a two-man wrecking crew keeping Houston alive at 3-1 through four weeks. In all three victories, Collins has finished with at least six catches for over 100 yards.

In the Week 3 loss against the Minnesota Vikings, Stroud tossed a pair of interceptions. Collins finished with just 86 receiving yards and only one pass over 20-plus yards downfield.

Stroud taking over games is far from new for Texans fans. Last season, he orchestrated multiple down-to-wire drives to secure the victory, including Week 9’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After securing the first postseason berth in four years en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud has lofty goals and high expectations to met in 2024. The Texans look to be a contender in the AFC alongside Buffalo, Baltimore and Kansas City.

With the arrival of Stefon Diggs, Houston could be a sneaky and underrated dark horse to hoist up its first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. The league will have a better understanding of where the Texans lie when they take on the Bills this Sunday at noon CT.