Tag: Texans vs. Cowboys Week 11

Watch: Texans get a ‘thicc six’ TD on the big time stage vs. Cowboys

We got a big-man touchdown in Arlington behind Houston Texans defensive lineman Derek Barnett.

The three greatest words in the NFL: Big. Man. Touchdown.

The Houston Texans have one entering the fourth quarter.

Derek Barnett finished the job after forcing a fumble on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush with a 28-yard scoop-and-score. The Texans lead 27-10 entering the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

This will be a play to remember since there were two fumbles on the play. After Barnett jarred the ball loose, rookie offensive tackle Tyler Guyton. Safety Jalen Pitre was making sure Houston walked away with the football, so he punched the ball loose for Barnett to make a play.

Earlier in the game, Barnett was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct call during a Bradn Aubrey 64-yard field goal, which eventually led to a first down conversion.

All is forgiven in H-Town. The Texans are less than 10 minutes away from securing their first victory since Week 8 now with Nico Collins back in the lineup.

Is Mario Edwards playing today? Injury news update for Texans defensive lineman

Mario Edwards Jr. is officially reinstated from his suspension entering Monday Night Football against the Cowboys.

The Houston Texans are nearing full strength with the return of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and wide receiver Nico Collins entering Week 11’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on ‘Monday Night Football.’

Even without Will Anderson, Houston should be content with its pass rush at AT&T Stadium on primetime. That could be because of the return of defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.

Will the veteran defensive tackle be cleared to play on Monday night? Here’s the final update entering AT&T Stadium

Mario Edwards Jr. update

Edwards, who was suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy, was activated to the final 53-man roster on Monday prior to kickoff. He’s not only expected to play but also start.

The Texans haven’t had an entire starting defensive line on the field at the same time through 10 games. Fellow free-agent signee Denico Autry was suspended for the first six games without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi was ruled out with a foot injury earlier this week.

Anderson, a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, is also out this week after suffering an ankle injury in Week 9’s loss against the New York Jets.

He’s expected to be back at some point this season.

Mario Edwards Jr.’s stats

A former second-round pick out of Florida State, Edwards has started six games at defensive tackle. Before the suspension, he ranked third on the team in sacks (two), plus five quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.
Texans DL depth chart
With Edwards back but Fatukasi out, here’s a look at the Texans defensive line depth chart heading into Monday’s game:  
  • Mario Edwards Jr. 
  • Tim Settle
  • Denico Autry (will shift inside on third down)
  • Kurt Hinish
  • Tommy Togiai

Settle is expected to start, while Autry should see a majority of reps on the outside in place of Anderson.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.

Will Derek Stingley Jr. play on Monday Night Football?: Update on Texans CB

Derek Stingley Jr. has been dealing with a hip injury leading up to Monday’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans are gaining back wide receiver Nico Collins and defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for Monday’s showdown in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

While the duo are a welcomed addition to the lineup, Houston (6-4) could be without two starters in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter suffered a concussion during the third quarter of Week 10’s loss against the Detroit Lions and remains in the league’s protocol.

Fellow cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. played through an injury and now could be out for the Lone Star Battle in what feels like a must-win game for Houston.

Here’s an update on the Texans’ star defender heading into their fourth primetime game.

Derek Stingley Jr. injury update

Stingley was listed on the report as having a hip injury and did not practice Thursday afternoon. He returned Friday as a limited participant and was back at full speed during Saturday’s walkthrough. 

There’s a chance he still appears on the injury report as questionable, but the former No. 3 overall pick seems to be trending toward playing at AT&T Stadium. 

According to KRPC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Stingley is not dealing with anything serious. 

Derek Stingley stats

Stingley, the first-round pick out of LSU in 2022, has been one of the league’s top corners in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he currently has a 66.8 overall grade and a 65.8 coverage grade.

In 10 games, Stingley has 10 pass deflections and one interception.

Texans CB depth chart

With Stingley and Lassiter potentially out, here’s the rest of the cornerbacks on the active roster:

  • Ka’dar Hollman.
  • Jeff Okudah
  • Kris Boyd

Okudah, who signed a one-year deal this offseason after four years with the Lions and Atlanta Falcons, was designated to return to practice from the injured reserve last week. While he’s practicing, the former No. 3 overall pick has not been added to the active roster yet.

The Texans could also elevate D’Angelo Ross, who was added back to the practice squad earlier this week. He started two games in place of Lassiter when the second-round pick was dealing with a shoulder injury.

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.