Tag: Houston Texans 2024 Season

WATCH: Texans WR Tank Dell scores TD vs. Chiefs

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass, but may be out for a while after suffering a scary injury.

The Houston Texans found the end zone but it came with a price.

On 2nd-and-7, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud went to the air on a deep play-action shot and connected with second-year receiver Tank Dell for a 30-yard score against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, while making the catch, Dell had a Kansas City defensive back and Texans wide receiver inadvertently collide with his knee.

Dell remained down for a long period until the stretcher came out to cart him off the field.

Stroud was visible distraught after the play. Houston has already lost offensive lineman Shaq Mason and defensive back Jimmie Ward for the game, but Dell’s injury may be a season ender.

The Texans have already ruled out Dell for the remainder of the game.

Dell had his electric rookie season cut short with a leg injury. In 13 games in 2024, Dell had 45 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns.

Dell was in the midst of one of his best games of the year against Kansas City, catching six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

WATCH: Texans LB Christian Harris hammers Patrick Mahomes for first sack

Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris tallied his first sack of the season with a takedown of Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes

Welcome back to the sack column,  Christian Harris.

The third-year Houston Texans linebacker to the field for the first time in the 2024 season last week against the Miami Dolphins. Harris tallied his first sack of the season on 2nd down against the Kansas City Chiefs by bringing Patrick Mahomes down.

Harris was questionable for Saturday’s contest with an ankle injury, but made progress later in the week to play his second game of the season.

Last year, Harris started 12 games and finished 101 total tackles and 12 sacks. He had a strong finish to the 2023 season, which led many to believe Harris would be in for a bigger 2024.

Harris suffered the calf injury in the preseason and it lingered until the bye in Week 14.

His return gives Houston three formidable linebackers with the emergence of Henry To’oTo’o and midseason signing Devin White.

The Texans will begin on defense to begin the third quarter.

Analysis: Texans inch closer to division title with win over Dolphins

The Houston Texans are a victory away from back-to-back 10-win seasons following Sunday’s outing against the Miami Dolphins.

The Houston Texans did their job. Will the Denver Broncos help them out?

Nico Collins caught two touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud while the Texans’ defense forced four turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions by Derek Stingley, to secure a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

“Stingley is playing just unbelievable football right now,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Should the Broncos beat the Colts out west, Houston would secure its second division title under Ryans in as many years.

Stingley. who could be the dark horse to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year honors, iced the game with 1:23 remaining with a pick against Tua Tagovailoa on a pass intended for Tyreek Hill.

Earlier in the game. Houston capitalized on another Tagovailoa turnover, this time caused by a stip-sack from Will Anderson Jr. Tim Settle recovered the ball and returned it to the Miami 26. Four plays later, Stroud connected with Collins for a 6-yard score.

The duo would find the end zone again with 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter after Dare Ogunbowale picked up 35 yards on a fake punt.

Stroud threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He also finished with a 106.6 passer rating, a season-best since Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots.

Houston’s ground game was limited behind Joe Mixon being shaken up by a hard hit during the second quarter. He finished with 23 rushing yards, but led the offense with five receptions for 33 yards.

Tagovailoa tried to lead a comeback down by 14 thanks to an 11-play, 73-yard drive capped off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith on fourth down. Miami could have been within a touchdown, but Jason Sanders’ kick went wide left, leading to an 8-point margin.

Two late interceptions sealed the deal for Tagovailoa, who was credited with a season-high four turnovers. Miami (6-8) played without starting tackles Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm. Tagovailoa threw for 196 yards, 143 of which came in the second half.

A scare occurred midway through the third quarter as Dolphins Grant DuBose was carted off after colliding with rookie defensive back Calen Bullock. Tagovailoa tried to lead DuBose out, but the receiver’s head violently hit the turf.

“There’s been some positive feedback related to some head and neck imaging,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “He will stay here overnight, and we’ll find out more by (Monday).”

Bullock was given a flag for unnecessary roughness for hitting a defenseless receiver on the play.

DuBose remained on the field for more than 10 minutes. Emergency medical assistance from trained personnel was required, which resulted in them having to cut off his jersey and a neck brace was put on him while he was taken to an ambulance.

The team said he was in stable condition and being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Danielle Hunter inched closer to making league history with his 1.5-sack performance. He needs a half-sack from now until the end of the regular season to join the 100-career club before the end of the regular season.

Injuries

Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Texans tight end Cade Stover was ruled out before kickoff after having an emergency appendectomy Saturday night.

Texans defensive Foley Fatukasi injured an ankle in the second quarter and did not return.

Stat of the Game

Once the Texans moved Stingley over to covering All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill, the game was close to over. The third-year defensive back limited Hill to one catch for 15 yards.

For the afternoon, Hill finished with two receptions for 36 yards.

“It’s a good opportunity going against somebody that’s the face of the NFL,” Stingley said. “So anytime you get to go out there on the field, it’s just a good time, just time to have fun.”

Up Next

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City might be short-handed without star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is considered week-to-week after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s win against the Cleveland Browns.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. might have sealed the game with one play

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. made Miami’s comeback effort harder with a fourth quarter interception of Tua Tagovailoa.

The Miami Dolphins were threatening to potentially tie the game against the Houston Texans, but once again the defense made a play.

Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. undercut a pass intended for Tyreek Hill from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has thrown two picks on Sunday after entering with 184 pass attempts without an interception.

Stingley was one-on-one with Hill, who has been held to just two receptions for 36 yards. Miami’s other top receiver Jaylen Waddle did not record a catch before leaving with an injury in the second quarter.

Stingley has four interceptions this season. Stingley and Calen Bullock join the Detroit Lions Kerby Joesph and Brian Branch as the only teammates with four or more interceptions.

Houston has three takeaways, which is the fifth time this season doing so.

Watch: Texans safety Calen Bullock make Defensive Rookie of the Year case with INT

Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock extended his rookie interception lead by picking off Tua Tagovailoa for his fifth of the season.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had not thrown an interception in 204 pass attempts, which entering Sunday was the NFL’s longest streak.

Erase that record clean with one play in the second quarter.

Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock reset the streak by intercepting Tagovailoa with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half of Sunday’s contest.

Bullock’s pick is his fifth interception of the season, which leads all rookies. Houston has forced multiple turnovers in eight games this season.

Will Anderson Jr.’s strip-sack earlier in the game set up Houston’s lone touchdown of the afternoon. Houston added three points before halftime after Bullock returned the interception 68 yards.

Bullock was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft and was one of two defensive backs Houston selected.

 

Bullock and fellow rookie defensive back Kamari Lassiter have both emerged as two of the best rookie playmakers in the league.

With a win, the Texans would need an Indianapolis Colts’ loss against the Denver Broncos to clinch the AFC South division title.

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.

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon continues Pro Bowl season with TD vs. Jaguars

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon is unstoppable against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.

Don’t look now, but the Houston Texans have scored a second-half offensive touchdown.

While not a notable achievement for many, Joe Mixon’s 7-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars was just the second touchdown in the second half since Week 6 for Houston’s offense.

Houston’s drive spanned five plays and 70 yards. Mixon ran on back-to-back plays to finish the possession in the end zone. He gained 37 yards on the two carries. Before the drive, Mixon had nine carries for 22 yards.

Mixon’s score is his 11th touchdown of the season, marking a career-best since his Pro Bowl season in 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston opened the drive with three consecutive passes, picking up a pair of double-digit gains from Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz.

Both of the pass catchers were shaken up after their receptions.

With a win, the Texans will improve to 4-1 in the AFC South enter next week’s bye.

Watch: Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. records third interception of season vs. Jagaurs

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. recorded his third interception in as many games against the Jacksonville Jaguars

While the offense has struggled, the Houston Texans defense is playing lights in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, to give the ball back to the offense. Stingley also had a 31-yard return.

The interception was Stingley’s third turnover of the season and second in the past three weeks.

Stingley has recorded at least one interception in all three of his meetings with the Jaguars, including his first career interception.

Last year, Stingley caught fire down the stretch as one of the NFL’s rising stars, notching five interceptions in the last eight games. Houston’s defense has forced 21 turnovers since Week 6.

Houston has moved around pieces in the secondary to account for the loss of Jalen Pitre. Jimmie Ward has primarily handled slot responsibilities, but Kamari Lassiter also took snaps on the inside with Jeff Okudah spending time on the outside.

The Texans will receive the ball to begin the third quarter.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans comments on Jalen Pitre’s injury

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave his thoughts on Jalen Pitre’s injury from Sunday’s game.

Houston Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre left during the second quarter of Sunday’s 32-27 loss against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed it’s the last time fans will see him for a while.

Pitre is expected to be “out for some time” with a shoulder injury, Ryans said Monday during his press conference. According to multiple reports, Pitre suffered a torn pectoral muscle but will not need to undergo surgery.

“Jalen has brought — he’s been a true impact player for us. Just being around the ball. Just causing interceptions, forcing fumbles, he’s just been really active, very instinctive player for us, he’s been all over the field,” Ryans said.

The multi-balanced defender was en route to a breakout third season after switching from safety to the nickel. At Baylor, he became an All-American and won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while lined up in the slot.

Through 12 games, few players were as consistent as Pitre in tackling. He ranked second on the team in tackles (65), tied for fifth in tackles for loss (6) and third in pass deflections (8).

“He’s made a lot of plays for us. And just miss his instincts, miss his playmaking ability, we’re going to miss that. So, we’ve got to pick it up and we’ve got to go.”

Pitre is expected to get a second opinion to determine exactly how long he’ll be out. If doctors believe the severity of the injury could worsen should he return, the Texans might shut him down for the remainder of the year.

“We’ve got to move forward,” Ryans said. “We’ve got to press forward. Whoever else steps in, we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

Currently, the Texans are limited in their options to replace Pitre. Safeties Eric Murray and Jimmie Ward have experience playing in the slot, with the latter replacing Pitre on Sunday. Ward, who previously lined up as the nickel defender in Ryans’ defense with the San Francisco 49ers, picked off Will Levis in the third quarter and returned for a 67-yard touchdown.

“I just got to do my one of 11,” Ward said postgame. “Whatever the coaches ask of me to try and help this team win, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

The Texans also have rookie Calen Bullock, though he’s best used as a deep safety. Fellow rookie Kamari Lassiter was drafted with the thought he could play in the nickel, though he’s manned down the No. 2 receiver opposite All-Pro candidate Derek Stingley Jr.

Houston could elevate cornerback Myles Bryant, who has experience playing nickel, from the practice squad onto the active roster. Former starting nickel Desmond King could be brought back given his knowledge of the Texans’ defensive play design.

Regardless, the Texans (7-5) have six days to shore up the position before traveling east to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9). Houston has lost four of its last six games.

Texans defense taking control on defense with turnover against Titans

Houston Texans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. recovered a second-quarter fumble, marking seven consecutive games with a takeaway.

During a first half in which the Houston Texans have had trouble slowing the Tennessee Titans’ offense, a fumble was just what they needed.

Titans running back Tony Pollard lost his handle on the ball and Texans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. recovered.

The fumble recovery is Edwards’ second on the season. He had zero in his first nine NFL seasons.

Fellow defensive tackle Tim Settle was in the area, preparing to make the tackle before Pollard fumbled.

Settle and Edwards were two of Houston’s under-the-radar signings that have made a large impact this season.

Houston has forced a turnover in seven consecutive games. From Week 5, the Texans have forced 18 turnovers, including Edwards fumble recovery. Houston’s offense has the second-most points in the league off of takeaways.

With a win, the Texans would move to 4-0 in the AFC South entering Week 13’s bout with the Jacksonville Jaguars before the bye week.