Tag: Houston Texans vs. New York Jets

Texans Wire’s Week 9 Player of the Game: WR Tank Dell

Tank Dell recored his first 100-yard game of the 2024 season on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets.

In a heartbreaking loss, someone has to stand out.

On Thursday night, that was Houston Texans second-year receiver Tank Dell.

Dell secured season-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (126) as the Texans fell at MetLife Stadium to the New York Jets, 21-13.

While the former third-round pick never found his way into the end zone, Dell got his groove back after an underwhelming beginning to the season.

Over three hours, the former No. 2 target proved his No. 1 threat potential for C.J. Stroud in the absence of Pro Bowler receiver Stefon Diggs and go-to option Nico Collins.

Dell averaged 22 yards per catch. He caught three passes over 20 yards downfield, including a 50-yard reception midway through the third quarter to get the Texans down at midfield.

Outside of Dell, Stroud had little to work with in the passing game. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on catches. Five others were targeted but never recorded a reception.

Dell came close to securing his third touchdown reception of the regular season, but All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for a pass interference call. Stroud never connected with Dell again on the drive, but Houston managed to score on a 3-yard touchdown run from Joe Mixon.

Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, is out for the year. Collins, who’s been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, should be back in time for Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Houston needs a secondary option and Dell showed his rookie season was more than a one-hit wonder. Last year, the Houston product totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.

After Thursday’s performance, Dell has collected 30 receptions through eight games. He now has 355 yards and two touchdowns.

For Dell’s rebounding performance against one of the NFL’s better secondaries, he’s Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 9.

He joins Mixon, Diggs, Collins, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Neville Hewitt as a recipient of the weekly honor.

Instant Reaction: Garrett Wilson’s two-touchdown evening secures Jets victory over Texans

The Houston Texans fall to 6-3 following a loss on the road against the New York Jets.

All it takes is one play to change a game’s outcome. That moment came with 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on a third-and-19 play.

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s one-handed touchdown grab from Aaron Rodgers might have been the NFL’s catch of the year. It’s without question the front-runner so far and will remain it entering Sunday, but it was the deciding factor and difference-maker in the 21-13 win over the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium.

Wilson, who’s currently on pace for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season with the AFC East franchise, also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, giving life to a New York team that looked D.O.A. entering November behind a has-been four-time MVP candidate.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud could not duplicate his Week 8 magic with both top targets sidelined. Nico Collins will be back next week for Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions after being cleared off injured reserve, but Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL last weekend against the Colts.

While Stroud had done enough to give Houston a comfortable 6-2 lead to close out October, it wasn’t enough against a Jets’ front seven out to make a statement. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year was sacked a career-high eight times and found little success on throws to anyone but Tank Dell.

Dell, who served as Houston’s No. 2 target during his rookie season, must regain the title with Diggs sidelined for the year. Thursday was a promising start since he finished with a season-high 126 yards off six catches.

Joe Mixon, the backbone of Houston’s offense when healthy, continued his All-Pro season with another 100-yard outing on the ground.

His highlight moment came in the second quarter, when he totaled 47 yards on seven carries and capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown run to give Houston a 7-0 lead.

Stroud finished 11-of-30 for 191 yards and posted a 59.1 passer rating. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on five catches. Six other receivers were targeted but did not record a catch.

Injuries hurt Houston as well. Offensive lineman Kenyon Green suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and did not return.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and was limited for the remainder of the first half before not returning following halftime.

Houston’s defense held Rodgers to 32 yards in the first half and recorded three sacks, two of which came by Denico Autry. In the second, New York totaled 220 yards of offense and scored on every drive.

Down four, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a  43-yard field goal, but a penalty by New York gave Houston a fresh set of downs. Three plays later, Fairbairn trotted for a 27-yard attempt, only to bounce it off the left upright.

Rodgers connected with former Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams on the ensuing drive to give the Jets an 11-point lead with 2:58 remaining.

The Texans will have 10 days to regroup before a Sunday Night Football showdown against the NFC North favorites at NRG Stadium.

General manager Nick Caserio could be busy making calls to upgrade the offense at offensive line and receiver before the 3 p.m. NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5.

Jets WR Garrett Wilson’s 1-handed grab vs. Texans might be catch of the year

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson might have just made the catch of the year and the Houston Texans are on the wrong side of history.

Remember when Odell Beckham Jr. made one of the greatest catches in NFL history back in 2014 at MetLife Stadium against a Texas-based team?

Garrett Wilson did the exact same thing nearly a decade later against the Houston Texans.

Early in the fourth quarter and down by three, New York Jets quarterback Arron Rodgers heaved a pass on third-and-19 to the back of the end zone. Wilson, who already caught a touchdown pass earlier in the second half, just wasn’t content with securing one score on the evening.

With rookie Kamari Lassiter in coverage, Wilson went airborne, using the young cornerback’s body as leverage to haul in a one-handed grab for the touchdown reception. At first, it looked like Wilson was out of bounds, but after further review, it was clear his shin was down just inside the end zone.

Here’s the play below:

Sitting at 2-6, New York needs a win if it plans on making a run toward the AFC postseason. Houston could secure its best start if they respond on the ensuing drive.

As for Wilson, he’ll make history for one of the greatest catches in NFL history. Beckham walked for Wilson to run and the third-year defender is sprinting.

Houston returns to NRG Stadium next Sunday evening against the Detroit Lions.

Will Anderson Jr. injury update: Texans DE leaves during Jets game

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the New York Jets.

The Houston Texans might be without their star defensive player for the remainder of Thursday’s game against New York Jets on Halloween. Hopefully, the injury won’t carry over to next Week’s showdown against the Detroit Lions.

Will Anderson Jr.’s night could be over depending on the severity of the injury suffered in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium.

Here’s what happened and his status.

Will Anderson Jr. injury update

Anderson, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month earlier Thursday afternoon, was rolled up on during the first quarter on a run by Jets star Breece Hall. He was down on the ground after suffering an injury and needed help from the medical staff.

Anderson began to work drills after leaving the blue medical tent and got his left ankle taped up before returning to the field for several plays. He was limited during the second quarter, only seeing action on pass-rushing downs against Aaron Rodgers.

After halftime, the Amazon Prime Video broadcast announced that Anderson was questionable to return with an ankle injury.

Will Will Anderson Jr. return for Thursday Night Football?

The Texans have listed Anderson as questionable for the remainder of Thursday’s game. The former All-American was replaced by a rotation of Denico Autry and Derek Barnett, who should hold their own in place of the former No. 3 overall pick.

Before his injury, Anderson had a tackle for loss against Hall on the opening drive.

Will Anderson Jr. stats

One of the rising stars off the edge entering his second season, Anderson had totaled 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss entering Thursday’s game. He currently leads the NFL in tackles for loss and ranks third in sacks, trailing only New York Jets second-year defensive end Will McDonald and New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Texans DE depth chart

With Anderson out with an injury, here’s the rest of the defensive ends on the active roster:

Kenyon Green injury vs Jets: Latest news on Texans OL

Houston Texans offensive lineman Kenyon Green suffered an upper-body injury during the second quarter against the New York Jets.

(This story has been updated with more information)

The Houston Texans are down another offensive linemen entering the second quarter of Thursday’s showdown against the New York Jets.

If another injury occurs, Houston could be in serious trouble moving entering the second half. Kenyon Green’s night could be over after a rough third-down play that eventually led to a sack on C.J. Stroud.

Here’s what happened and his status.

Kenyon Green injury update

Green, a former first-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2022, suffered what appeared to be an arm injury on a third-down sack allowed while going up against defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

The medical staff needed to come out and help Green off the turf. He headed to the locker room for further evaluation and testing on his upper body. Veteran Kendrick Green filled in at left guard next to Laremy Tunsil on the ensuing drive.

Will Kenyon Green return for Thursday Night Football?

The Texans have ruled out Kenyon Green for the remainder Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury.. The former All-American was filling in the starting spot after Jarrett Patterson left last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter with a concussion.

If Kendrick Green struggles or gets hurt, Houston could move right tackle Tytus Howard inside to guard, thus leading to rookie Blake Fisher take over at right tackle.

Kenyon Green stats

Kenyon Green has started all nine games at left guard for the Texans this season after missing the entire 2023 season with a shoulder injury.

Texans OL depth chart

Kendrick Green and Nick Broeker the only remaining interior offensive lineman left available for Houston on Thursday night with Patterson still in concussion protocol.