Tag: Danielle Hunter

Texans DE Danielle Hunter finally gets Pro Bowl nod

Danielle Hunter is finally headed to Orlando for the Pro Bowl games after a breakout season with the Houston Texans.

Danielle Hunter is headed to Orlando.

The announcement comes three weeks too late, but at least the Houston Texans defensive end can finally claim the title he deservingly earned in 2024.

Hunter was named to the 2025 AFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing DE Maxx Crosby, who is unable to participate due to injury.

With the nod, Hunter joins the five-time Pro Bowl honoree club, having been selected four times during his nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. In 17 games with the Texans this season, Hunter racked up 46 total tackles, including a team-high 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

He also totaled three pass breakups and one forced fumble. Hunter’s 17 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks both ranked among the top five in the AFC.

According to NextGenStats, Hunter notched 90 quarterback pressures this season, the second-most in the NFL. In Week 12, Hunter turned in his best game of the season, becoming the first player in franchise history to post 3.0 sacks in the first half of a game.

The veteran defensive end will join running back Joe Mixon, receiver Nico Collins, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. as representatives for Houston.

The five Pro Bowl selections stand as the most the Texans have had in a season since 2018, when they had six.

Taking place over two days in Orlando, Fla., the skills challenges will be broadcast live on Thursday, Jan. 30, on ESPN from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT and continue Sunday, Feb. 2, culminating in a flag football contest coached by the Manning brothers.

Key things to know about Chargers’ wild-card opponent: Texans

Here are some key things to know about the Los Angeles Chargers’ opponent ahead of the wild-card round matchup.

The Chargers face off against the Texans in the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon.

To preview the matchup, here are some key things to know about Houston.

How Houston finished the regular season

The Texans finished as champions of the AFC South with a 10-7 record. Houston struggled down the stretch, losing three of its final five games.

Stroud’s struggles

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was outstanding in his first year as a pro, winning 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Stroud took a step back in Year 2. Some of it involved losing wide receiver Stefon Diggs early in the season, missing Nico Collins for a few games, and then losing Tank Dell last month. But he wasn’t as accurate as he was in his rookie campaign and was often under pressure. He was sacked 52 times (second-most in the NFL) and threw 12 interceptions.

Gotta slow Joe

The Chargers have been stout against the run recently, ranking fourth in the past three weeks as they’ve allowed just 81.7 rushing yards per game. They must remain stout against running back Joe Mixon. Mixon finished the regular season with 1,016 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 4.1 yards per carry.

Beware of the pressure

The Chargers’ offensive line must be on its A-game against a Texans defensive line that has lived in opposing backfields this season. Houston has a franchise-best 49 sacks this year, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be accounting for edge defenders Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr., who have 12 and 11 sacks, respectively.

Other notes

  • The Texans are 26th in red zone offense and 27th in red zone defense.
  • Houston has the sixth-best passing defense, allowing 201.0 yards per game.
  • The Texans have the fifth-most takeaways (29).
  • Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Calen Bullock each have five interceptions.
  • Wide receiver Nico Collins topped 1,000 receiving yards.

Was Texans DE Danielle Hunter snubbed a Pro Bowl nod?

Even in a year where the Texans underachieved, Danielle Hunter lived up to expectations and played like a Pro Bowler.

Four Houston Texans players were named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster on Thursday morning.

Danielle Hunter, who’s closing in on a breakout first season down off NRG Stadium, wasn’t one of them.

Take nothing away from Derek Stingley Jr., who made history with his dominant month of December in coverage to break a Texans’ record.

Give credit where credit is due to Nico Collins, who was on pace to lead the NFL in receiving yards before suffering a hamstring string injury in Week 5 that sidelined him for a month.

Even Joe Mixon and Laremy Tunsil deserve their flowers. The veteran running back is seven yards away from being the first player since 2019 to rush for 1,000 yards in a Texans’ uniform.

Tunsil has been a staple in pass protection on a broken and beaten offensive line protecting C.J. Stroud.

But Hunter’s coronation as the ‘Houstonian Herculean Hulk’ shouldn’t go unnoticed. He enters Week 18’s regular-season finale ranked third in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss.

Only teammate Will Anderson Jr. has given him a run for the money in terms of top newcomer in the AFC over two seasons. He too must wait for someone to bow out before being called to Orlando after notching 11 sacks and 58 pressures.

The pass-rushing duo didn’t get the call like their teammates. Instead, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson and Las Vegas’s Maxx Crosby will represent the AFC defensive ends down in Orlando next month.

The voting isn’t entirely wrong since Garrett and Hendrickson have a case.

The AFC North duo are tied for the league lead in sacks with 14 apiece. Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, also ranks first in tackles for loss and third in QB hits with 28.

But Crosby over Hunter? Signs of “name over production” ring true for the All-Pro pass rusher, who likely won’t even play after undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.

Even going off name alone, Hunter’s been a stalwart in the league since his breakout season in 2017. He’s a sack away from becoming the 46th player in NFL history to hit the triple digits and the first Texan to accomplish the feat since three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

Crosby finished with 7.5 sacks in 12 games. Hunter had eight QB takedowns by Halloween.

Crosby was better against the run, totaling 16 tackles for loss in a dozen games. Hunter needed two more games, but his 17 trumps Crosby’s by a lone stat.

And the four-time Pro Bowler from Minnesota also had 23 QB hits and a league-leading 90 pressures, according to NFL’s Next Gen stats. Crosby? He finished with 20 and 59, respectively.

Hunter will likely get the call because of opt-outs. He’s the first in line to replace one of the trio as an alternate entering the postseason. Given Crobsy’s injury status, that call should arrive before the Texans welcome the No. 5 seed to NRG Stadium next week.

Crosby’s persona as one of the league’s top defenders is well-documented. The same goes for Hunter and even a rising star like Anderson.

Sometimes, giving the nod to a player who intends to play tends to make the most sense.

Given Hunter’s numbers, it should have been a no-brainer.

8 Texans (including Danielle Hunter) named alternates for 2025 Pro Bowl

Danielle Hunter better be on call after being snubbed a Pro Bowl bid on Thursday afternoon.

Danielle Hunter might not be headed to Orlando on the initial wave of Pro Bowl votes, but he’s a phone call away from packing his bags to join his teammates.

So are five other Houston Texans players.

Hunter (first alternate), punter Tommy Townsend (first), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (second), quarterback C.J. Stroud (third), kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (fourth), and defensive back Jimmie Ward (fourth), were named Pro Bowl alternates. They will be candidates to join the Pro Bowl roster if other players drop out.

The Texans saw four players named to the active AFC roster after promising seasons for the AFC South Champions. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and wide receiver Nico Collins were first-time additions, while offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil notched his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod and second start.

Running back Joe Mixon, who’s seven yards shy of becoming the first Texans player since 2019 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, also was named to the Pro Bowl roster as a backup.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon will again include an International NFL Flag Championship Tournament featuring top youth teams from around the world, underscoring the NFL’s commitment to the global growth and accessibility of flag football ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

Taking place over two days in Orlando, Fla., the skills challenges will be broadcast live on Thursday, Jan. 30, on ESPN from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT and continue Sunday, Feb. 2, culminating in flag football.

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. adds to DPOY case with strip sack against Tua Tagovailoa

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. reached double digit sacks for the first time with a strip sack of Tua Tagovailoa.

The Houston Texans’ defense continued their streak of creating takeaways after the bye week.

Second-year defensive end Will Anderson Jr. defeated his block and chased down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from behind, stripping the ball loose and resulting in a recovery by defensive tackle Tim Settle.

Houston’s defense has forced a turnover in nine consecutive games, starting in Week 6 against the New England Patriots. In the nine-game span, Houston has 22 takeaways.

Anderson’s sack is the second of the game for Houston, who did not record one in its 23-20 win over Jacksonville before the bye week. For the second-year pro, Anderson reached double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.

This season, Anderson has 10.5 sacks through 12 games. Teammate and fellow Defensive Player of the Year candidate Danielle Hunter leads the team with 11 sacks after picking up a half sack earlier in the game against Miami.

Derek Stingley Jr., Joe Mixon among 102 players given superlatives by ESPN

Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon and Derek Stingley Jr. each feature one trait that makes them a “standout player” in 2024.

How good are the Houston Texans?

As a roster, perhaps a bit underwhelming.

As individuals? A trio of names continue to impress heading into the home stretch.

In the latest article from ESPN, defensive end Danielle Hunter, running back Joe Mixon and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. all were the top players for a certain superlative that stands out as an “elite trait” in 2024.

Mixon, who’s on pace to become the Texans’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Carlos Hyde in 2019, was named the NFL’s “vision/instincts” runner.

“Mixon has been an easy fit in Houston’s zone run game, pressing the ball to the edge and finding the cutback lanes,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote. “Mixon is averaging 88.7 rushing yards, the third most in the league.”

Hunter, a dark horse to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, was given the accolade for “best spin move” after recording 10.5 sacks in 14 games.

“A super disruptive edge defender, Hunter leads the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 27.9%,” Bowen wrote. “He has a devastating spin move that puts blockers in conflict. Hunter’s 10.5 sacks and 42 pressures both rank in the top three around the league.”

Stingley, who’s transformed into a top-three cornerback entering Year 3, was given the title of “best backfield vision” for his ability to read quarterbacks.

“An emerging star in the league, Stingley can overlap seam balls and get a jump on in-breakers because of his backfield vision in the Texans’ scheme,” Bowen wrote. “He has three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.”

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to face off against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. With a victory, Houston would guarantee a second-winning season under DeMeco Ryans.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Jaguars vs. Texans: Key matchups

Jaguars vs. Texans: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off their bye week, ideally refreshed and refocused for their final stretch of the 2024 season as they host Houston this weekend.

This will be a crucial six-game marathon for the Jaguars as the future around the coaching staff and front office hangs in the balance following a lowly 2-9. On a positive note, franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears closer to returning to play this week after missing two games with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

While Jacksonville almost certainly won’t make the postseason, it could begin to cause some panic among Houston fans with an upset.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at some of the key matchups for this weekend.

Jacksonville WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Houston CB Derek Stingley Jr.

This one-on-one battle represents two gifted athletes who will be among the best players at their respective positions for years to come. Stingley has been playing at a high level this season and is one of Houston’s best defenders while Thomas has emerged as one of the better young wide receivers in the league and one of the faces of Jacksonville’s future.

It can’t be emphasized enough how crucial of a matchup this is. Thomas has played well the last several weeks and emerged as the Jaguars’ top playmaker this year. With Lawrence potentially back under center, the team’s first-round selection this year could see his target share increase.

Stingley is one of the best man-cover corners in the game. He uses his size, technique, and pure athleticism to shut down any receiver who lines up against him. Thomas offers the skill set to beat man defenders at will with the incredible fluidity, short-area quickness and ultra-explosiveness that has made him a three-level threat.

If Thomas wins this battle, Jacksonville will be one step closer to pulling off an upset.

Jaguars’ offensive line vs. Texans’ defensive line

For as bad as things have been for the Jaguars this season, their offensive line remains steady, especially in the interior. The team has allowed the sixth-lowest pressure rate in the NFL (28.7%) and will take on a Texans’ defense that ranks third in pressure rate (40.3%).

Winning in the trenches has been an up-and-down battle for Jacksonville all season and Sunday features a chance to win there on both sides of the ball. According to Next Gen Stats, Jaguars guards Exra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff and center Mitch Morse have all allowed pressure on under five percent of their pass-blocking snaps. 

The edges are where it gets tricky as tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison will be going up against Texans defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. Jacksonville will need its young tackles to have quality starts to slow down Houston’s pass rushers.

This is not a favorable matchup for the Jaguars. It could be if Harrison and Little can stay consistent in their pass-blocking sets and generate momentum in the run game on the edges, which will be key in taking on the No. 5 defense in yards allowed. 

Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Jacksonville run defense

One of the stories of the Jaguars this season has been their putrid defensive play in almost all facets, especially against the run where they have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in the NFL (135.5).

However, interestingly enough, they have defended the run well on outside-designed runs. Jacksonville has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards over expected (-65) and the seventh-lowest success rate (34.0%) on those specific play calls, according to Next Gen Stats.

Defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have been big reasons for Jacksonville’s success against outside runs. Walker is third on the team in run stops (35) and Hines-Allen has 23 on the season. Their power at the point of attack and discipline against the run has been very notable this year. 

This week, they’ll take on Mixon, who has run nine of his touchdowns to the outside and has the fifth-most RYOE (+116) in that area in the NFL. Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik tends to use the outside zone to work away from the tackle box and stress defenders on the edges.

Setting the edge will be key for the Jaguars, especially against Mixon. Walker and Hines-Allen must do their job to squeeze their respective gaps and become force defenders to bottle Mixon inside.

If the Jaguars can limit Mixon’s ability to stretch the edge, Jacksonville will have a chance to pull off a nice victory on Thanksgiving weekend. 

Texans Wire Player of the Game: DE Danielle Hunter

Danielle Hunter set the tone in the final two drives to help Houston secure a 23-20 win at home over the Indianapolis Colts.

If Anthony Richardson had a clean pocket, perhaps he’s leading the Indianapolis Colts to an improbable comeback at NRG Stadium on Sunday.

If Richardson evades the sack on third down, perhaps the Colts are sitting atop the AFC South standings at 5-3.

Neither happened in the Houston Texans’ 23-20 win over the Colts. Richardson could get out of trouble, resulting in five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Two takedowns came from Danielle Hunter, including the strip sack on the final play of the afternoon with one-second remaining.

“Multiple times we had pressure on him. Credit goes to our D-line the way they got after it up front,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. Danielle, Will [Anderson Jr.], [Tim] Settle, everybody was in on the action of applying pressure on the quarterback.”

Hunter headlined Houston’s defensive line Sunday. The front seven pressured Richardson on 60% of his drop-backs, tied for the highest pressure rate by a defense in a game this season, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

None of it mattered until the game’s final drive. Houston’s offense stalled on a three-and-out to waste the clock. The Colts wanted to march downfield and at least get into the field goal range to send the game to overtime.

Hunter wasn’t letting that happen. On the drive’s first play, he dipped past Bernhard Raimann and into the backfield opposite Anderson and Dencio Autry.

The quarterback looked confused about where the pressure was coming from. By the time Richardson evaded Autry’s initial takedown, it was too late.

There was Hunter forcing a strip-sack to secure the victory at home.

“We just wanted to leave no doubt today,” Anderson told reporters. “Let everyone know who the Texans D-line is. When they think about the Texans, they think about the d-line. That’s the message that we wanted to get out there.”

Hunter finished with two tackles, both coming on sacks that led to turnover drives. Without those two plays, the Texans could be sitting at 5-3 entering their matchup against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.

For that reason, Hunter is this Texans Wire’s Player of the Game. He joins running back Joe Mixon, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, receiver Nico Collins, receiver Stefon Diggs and linebacker Neville Hewitt on the honor list for 2024.

Watch: Texans DE Danielle Hunter pulverizes Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye

Danielle Hunter destroyed Drake Maye to give back the ball to the Houston Texans.

After losing momentum at the end of the first half, the Houston Texans regained it three plays into the third quarter.

Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter defeated his block and unloaded on New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, forcing a fumble that eventually would be recovered by Mario Edwards Jr.

The Texans would extend their 14-7 lead with a 3-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Stefon Diggs.

https://twitter.com/TexansFanBattle/status/1845537871274414165

Hunter recorded his first sack since Week 2’s win against the Chicago Bears. Houston has three sacks against New England, with Will Anderson Jr. providing the other pair in the first quarter.

Hunter has 2.5 sacks for Houston this season after signing a two-year, $49 million contract with the team in free agency. He replaced Jonathan Greenard, who signed on to Hunter’s replacement with the Minnesota Vikings.

The strip sack was the second turnover, Houston created in New England territory.

The first was Calen Bullock’s interception, which resulted in zero points after Kai’imi Fairbairn had a rare missed field goal.

With a win, Houston would start off the season 5-1, marking its best record since 2012.

Watch: Texans DE Danielle Hunter records first sack in Houston

Houston Texans marquee signing Danielle Hunter tallied his first sack in a Texans uniform by meeting Will Anderson Jr. in the backfield.

Welcome to NRG Stadium, Danielle Hunter.

Hunter, the Houston Texans’ top defensive addition of the offseason, took down Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams for his first sack in Houston.

Hunter and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. met in the backfield to bring down the No. 1 overall pick on third-and-9 for a 10-yard loss.

Hunter, 29, signed a two-year, $49 million deal with Houston in the offseason to chase a Lombardi trophy in his hometown. The former Minnesota Viking grew up in Katy and played high school football at Morton Ranch.

In Houston’s Week 1’s 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts ,Hunter tallied two pressures

Last season was a career year for the four-time Pro Bowler, totaling 16.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss, both career highs.

Hunter’s sack limited Chicago to a field goal on its opening drive.