Tag: Texans 2024

Dolphins vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Friday

Here’s the injury report from Friday’s final practice as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Miami Dolphins.

Here are the full injury reports ahead of the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins’ matchup at NRG Stadium in Week 15.

Houston Texans (8-5)

OUT

  • OL Juice Scruggs (foot)

QUESTIONABLE

  • G Nick Broeker (hand)
  • G Kenyon Green (shoulder)
  • LB Christian Harris (calf)
  • LB Jamal Hill (knee)

Note: The Texans placed third-year safety Jalen Pitre on the injured reserve.

Miami Dolphins (6-7)

OUT

  • WR Dee Eskridge (knee)

DOUBTFUL

  • OT Terron Armstead (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

  • LB Bradley Chubb (knee)
  • WR Grant DuBose (shoulder)
  • LS Blake Ferguson (non-football illness)
  • LB Cameron Goode (knee)
  • OT Kendall Lamm (back)

Note: The Dolphins released Odell Beckham Jr. Friday morning 

Texans WR Nico Collins can’t believe the NFL fined him for celebrating with a fan

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was being a good man and the NFL penalized him for it.

Nico Collins is a fan favorite and is always looking to give back to the young Houston Texans‘ fans.

So you can imagine his frustration when the NFL fined him around $5,000 after celebrating with a young fan following his first touchdown reception since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills.

Collins, Houston’s leading receiver, found his way into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass during the second quarter to give the Texans a 20-17 lead in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans. 

The Pro Bowl-caliber target tossed the ball toward a young kid in the crowd before leaping onto the wall to celebrate with them. After spotting the kid looking extra excited, Collins said he wanted to make his day.

“He was screaming,” Collins said.  “So, I was thinking ‘Here you go big dog. Here’s the ball.’ ”

The NFL wasn’t a fan of the memory created by Collins and slapped him with a fine Thursday afternoon. Collins said he was confused about why the league would fine him for a positive celebration.

“I guess they think you’re going to poke somebody in the eye or something,” Collins said.

Another point was this wasn’t Collins’ first time he’d thrown a ball into the stands, but it was the first time he was fined. He plans to appeal the fine and hopes it will be expunged.

Even if it sticks on his record, Collins said seeing the young fans’ gratitude was rewarding enough.

“Definitely worth it,” Collins said. “Only thing that matters was making that kid happy. He’s never going to forget that moment, so that’s all that matters to me.”

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at noon CT.

Deebo Samuel weighs in on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

Deebo Samuel, a former teammate of Azeez Al-Shaair, weighs in on the Houston Texans linebacker’s suspension for three games.

Several former NFL players have criticized Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel is more on the side of his former teammate.

Samuel recently on his podcast, said that Al-Shaair isn’t the type of player to act with malice while on the field. The hit seemed to be a bang-bang play and far from the perceived character that’s currently being painted about his on-field demeanor.

The two were rookies entering San Francisco in 2019 and shared a locker room for four seasons before Al-Shaair left in free agency following the 2022 campaign.

“I know Azeez very well. He’s one of my brothers, for sure. I talked to him afterward and it wasn’t intentional,” Samuel said.

“That clip doesn’t show who he is as a person. If I’m him, and as you’ve seen, he put out an apology to Trevor Lawrence. He apologized to everybody. That kind of shows the person he really is. At the end of the day, he’s not trying to take anybody out. He’s trying to play the way that he was always been taught to play it. 

“If I’m him in that situation as I’m getting up and somebody is beating on the back of my head, it’s like, ‘I got to get in defense mode.’ With his apology and me knowing him personally and knowing it wasn’t intentional, I just think 3-games is a little much.”

Samuel did defend Lawrence, who left the game with a concussion, and the actions of his teammates came to his defense. Even if Al-Shaair was genuinely trying to make a clean hit, anyone who hit his quarterback would be put in line.

“If you hit my quarterback like that, it’s up. I’m crashing, 100%, no question,” Samuel said. “I get that part.”

Samuel also mentioned that defensive players often receive stricter suspension ramifications compared to offensive players who deliver similar hits against opposing players.

“If it was me, would you suspend me for three games?” Samuel asked. “If that was [Baltimore Ravens running back] Derrick Henry, would he be suspended for three games? I think it’s more so about protecting the quarterbacks.”

Al-Shaair, who signed a three-year deal this offseason with the Texans, will be eligible to return in Week 18’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at noon CT.

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.

All 32 starting NFL quarterbacks, ranked oldest to youngest

C.J. Stroud might be in Year 2, but the Houston Texans passer remains one of the youngest quarterbacks in 2024.

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud is still a young gun. Sure, he might have won a few accolades in brief NFL tenure, but the former No. 2 overall pick entered the NFL as a spry 22-year-old with two years of starting experience from his time at Ohio State.

How young is Stroud? At 23, he’s still over a year younger than Denver Broncos starter and 2023 first-round pick Bo Nix, who spent five seasons starting between his time at Auburn and Oregon.

Carolina Panthers second-year starter Bryce Young (23) is three months older than the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Washington Commanders rookie and fellow No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels (23) is nine months older than Stroud and will turn 24 in December.

Chicago Bears starter and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams (23) is two months younger than former Buckeye. Meanwhile, No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye (22) is the youngest starter in the NFL and hopes to be the savior for the New England Patriots in a new era of football.

New York Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (40) is the oldest quarterback in the league. He’s followed not so close behind by Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins (36), Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford (36) and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson (35).

We’ve listed the ages of all 32 starting quarterbacks below entering Week 14. This also only includes direct starters for the 2024 season and not fill-ins due to season-ending injuries.

NFL quarterbacks ranked oldest to youngest

  1. Aaron Rodgers (40)
  2. Kirk Cousins (36)
  3. Matthew Stafford (36)
  4. Russell Wilson (35)
  5. Derek Carr (33)
  6. Geno Smith (33)
  7. Dak Prescott (31)
  8. Jameis Winston (30)
  9. Baker Mayfield (29)
  10. Jared Goff (29)
  11. Gardner Minshew (28)
  12. Josh Allen (28)
  13. Patrick Mahomes (28)
  14. Drew Lock (28)
  15. Lamar Jackson (27)
  16. Sam Darnold (27)
  17. Kyler Murray (27)
  18. Joe Burrow (27)
  19. Tua Tagovailoa (26)
  20. Justin Herbert (26)
  21. Jalen Hurts (26)
  22. Will Levis (25)
  23. Jordan Love (25)
  24. Trevor Lawrence (24)
  25. Brock Purdy (24)
  26. Bo Nix (24)
  27. Bryce Young (23)
  28. Jayden Daniels (23)
  29. C.J. Stroud (22)
  30. Caleb Williams (22)
  31. Anthony Richardson (22)
  32. Drake Maye (22)

The Texans return to the huddle following the bye week to take on the Miami Dolphins at NRG Stadium.

All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including C.J. Stroud) ranked by Total QBR

Here’s where Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud stacks up among other passers in QBR entering Week 14.

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud posted a Total QBR rating of 71.9 in the team’s 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 That performance knocked up his season-long Total QBR average to 53.2.

That’s a slight increase from last week’s rating (51.3), which is why Stroud’s ranking among QBs (No. 22) rose two spots from last week (No. 24).

Stroud’s traditional passer rating this season is 87.9, which ranks 22nd.

Unlike a traditional passer rating, the Total QBR “incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties,” according to ESPN.

The metric takes into account scenarios that a traditional passer rating overlooks and considers “a team’s level of success or failure on every play to provide the proper context and then allocates credit to the quarterback and his teammate to produce a clearer measure of quarterback efficiency.”

With that context in mind, here’s a look at how Stroud stacks up against the NFL’s other starting quarterbacks entering Thanksgiving weekend

NFL QBs ranked by Total QBR after Week 13

  1. Kyler Murray: 75.1
  2. Josh Allen: 74.5
  3. Joe Burrow: 73.9
  4. Lamar Jackson: 73.4
  5. Jayden Daniels: 71.8
  6. Jameis Winston: 70.0
  7. Derek Carr: 65.0
  8. Brock Purdy: 64.7
  9. Jalen Hurts: 64.6
  10. Patrick Mahomes: 64.4
  11. Matthew Stafford: 60.8
  12. Jordan Love: 60.4
  13. Tua Tagovailoa: 60.2
  14. Drake Maye: 58.0
  15. Jared Goff: 57.7
  16. Russell Wilson: 56.9
  17. Sam Darnold: 56.0
  18. Bo Nix: 55.5
  19. Geno Smith: 55.0
  20. Justin Herbert: 55.0
  21. Kirk Cousins: 54.6
  22. C.J. Stroud: 53.6
  23. Aidan O’Connell: 53.3
  24. Baker Mayfield: 52.9
  25. Anthony Richardson: 49.5
  26. Aaron Rodgers: 48.2
  27. Caleb Williams: 47.1
  28. Bryce Young: 39.1
  29. Drew Lock: 39.1
  30. Cooper Rush: 34.3
  31. Will Levis: 32.9
  32. Mac Jones: 28.1

Stroud will look to improve his Total QBR rating after the bye when the Texans host the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.

What are the Texans’ chances of making the NFL playoffs?

Here’s what the odds look like for the Houston Texans to win the AFC South and make the playoffs in 2024.

Following a 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium,  the Houston Texans improved to 8-5 in the 2024 campaign.

Entering the bye week, they remain the AFC South favorites and the fourth seed in the conference standings, trailing Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), Buffalo Bills (10-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3).

Kansas City and Buffalo have already clinched playoff berths, with the latter clinching the AFC East title. The Texans likely would need chaos to ensue, along with a win next week, to guarantee their spot in the College Football Playoff.

Should Houston somehow drop the division title, it would remain in the hunt for a wild-card berth. Well, at least for the time being alongside the Denver Broncos (8-5), Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (8-4).

The Texans will play the Miami Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens following the bye. They also hold a two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South division race.

Houston controls its playoff fate. According to Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com, if the Broncos beat the Colts in Week 15, Houston would need to defeat the Dolphins at NRG Stadium to clinch a playoff berth.

Here’s a look at the AFC’s playoff picture entering Week 14.

AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
  4. Houston Texans (8-5)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
  6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
  7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

In the Hunt

  1. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
  2. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

J.J. Watt weighs in on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

J.J. Watt has some thoughts on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt knows that tackling is a part of the game of football.

Much like other players, he is not a fan of the elongated suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair following the hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

During a segment on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the three-time Defensive Player of the Year voiced his opinion on how the league has handled the situation that occurred in Week 13. He understands both sides, but it’s clear the defender has a soft spot for the defensive player.

“You want Trevor to be okay and that’s hands down first and foremost, No. 1,” Watt told McAfee and co-host A.J. Hawk. “I do think that there’s justification for punishment there, no doubt. I do also think that the punishment is extremely harsh.”

Al-Shaair, who plans to appeal the case on Wednesday with NFLPA representative Ramon Foster, was ejected from the game after the hit. The league office stated as to why Al-Shaair would be suspended, calling out his “lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football.”

Texans general manager Nick Caserio called out the NFL for its wording in the letter against Al-Shaair. Watt echoed a similar sentiment.

“If you listen to the comparisons of other punishments that have been handed down across the league and you look at the history and the precedent there, the inconsistency in the punishment is an issue, but I understand a punishment should be handed down,” Watt said.

The Texans enter the bye week at 8-5. Should Al-Shaair’s suspension hold, he won’t be clear to return until Week 18’s season finale matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans LB plans to appeal 3-game suspension like former 2023 starter

Azeez Al-Shaair will do everything possible to make sure his three-game suspension is diminished.

Azeez Al-Shaair might have gotten hit with a three-game suspension, but the fight is not over.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans linebacker plans to appeal the three-game suspension to the league office for a lesser sentencing following his hit and later ejection against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter of Sunday’s win.

The appeal will be heard by one of the appeals officers jointly appointed by the league and the NFLPA: Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson.

In a letter to Al-Shaair, Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, stated that the Texans’ defensive captain was involved in a play that the league considers “unacceptable and a serious violation of playing rules.”

“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide,” Runyan wrote. “You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.

“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask.”

On Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans defended Al-Shaair, stating that the fight occurred after Jaguars players instigated the altercation by shoving him after the play.

“It wasn’t our guys. Their team overreacted,” Ryans said. “Pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline. That’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sideline as well.”

On Tuesday, general manager Nick Caserio took offense to how the league portrayed Al-Shaair in their letting when offering up the suspension.

“Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization,” Caserio said. “We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”

The three-game ban has been the longest one dished out of the 2024 season for on-field violations. Caserio also asked for more consistency from the league on punishments for players who have conducted similar hits in the past.

“I‘d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down,” Caserio said.

Sunday isn’t the first time that Al-Shaair has been at the center of controversy surrounding hits. He was fined $11,817 earlier this year in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears after he punched running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline during a scuffle that started after hitting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams near the sidelines.

In Week 12, Al-Shaair was fined  $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard. 

The Texans have been here before with a player for violating the NFL’s player safety policy. Linebacker Denzel Perryman was suspended three games for his on-field play. He appealed his case and eventually saw the suspension dropped to two games.

If Al-Shaair’s suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won’t be cleared to return until the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 in game checks should he miss all three games.

“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” Caserio said. “What he’s about, what he’s been through. There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about. “

Texans schedule: Is Houston playing today?

Here’s what you need to know heading into Sunday’s matchup between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Will the Houston Texans be on the field today for Week 13’s slate in the AFC?

Following a rough 32-27 loss on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Houston is back in action as it travels east to face off against the Jacksonville Jagaurs in a battle for AFC South bragging rights. The Texans secured Round 1 of the series in Week 4 thanks to a 1-yard touchdown reception from C.J. Stroud to Dare Ogunbowale en route to a 24-20 victory at NRG Stadium.

The Texans must handle business against at EverBank Stadium if they plan on finishing 4-1 entering next week’s bye.

Jacksonville is getting healthy at the most essential position. Trevor Lawrence is expected to play after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury. Even if he’s at a limited capacity, having the passer that led the Jaguars to the playoffs two seasons ago is better than nothing.

Watch Texans vs. Jaguars live on Fubo (free trial)

Here’s how to watch the Texans vs. Jaguars game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Texans vs. Jaguars on today?

TV Channel: FOX

Livestream: Fubo (free trial), Paramount+

The Texans vs. Jaguars will be broadcast on FOX in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston will call the game from the booth at EverBank Stadium, with Laura Okmin reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, and Paramount+.