Tag: Texans vs. Cowboys

Texans legend J.J. Watt to be a part of Monday Night Football fun

J.J. Watt might not be on the field, but he’ll be on Monday Night Football when the Houston Texans take on the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time the Houston Texans were on “Monday Night Football,” J.J. Watt appeared on the television screen.

Five years might have passed and Watt might have retired, but the former All-Pro defensive end will still appear on your television when Houston faces off against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Watt will appear on the “ManningCast” alternate telecast on ESPN2 opposite Peyton and Eli Manning during Monday’s game. The national broadcast will air on ABC and ESPN beginning at 7:15 p.m. CT.

Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year during his 10 seasons with the Texans, will appear during the fourth quarter with the Manning brothers. Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will appear during the first half for his weekly segment.

While many Texans fans have been waiting for Watt to come out of retirement, at least they’ll see the top defensive player in franchise history talk about the program in prominence on national television.

The Texans will be playing their first Monday night outing since Sept. 9, 2019, when they opened the season with a 30-28 loss against the New Orleans Saints. That also marked the first appearance of Laremy Tunsil in a Houston uniform after the preseason trade leading into the new campaign.

The Texans (6-4) trail the series against the Cowboys (3-6) all-time at 4-2.

Texans receive best news possible from WR Nico Collins entering Week 11

The Houston Texans have their No. 1 target back for Monday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Nico Collins is back.

It’s for real this time and not a “wait and see” until Monday, either.

The Houston Texans leading receiver told reporters on Friday that he’s “for sure” 100% healthy and ready to play this week against the Dallas Cowboys. That notion was backed up by a healthy injury report, showing that Collins was a full participant.

“Getting Nico back is always very great for all of us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday. “Nico’s been one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playmaking ability that he brings.”

Collins, who broke out as C.J. Stroud’s top weapon in 2023, missed the last five games with a hamstring injury. While he was activated off the injured reserve last Friday, the Texans elected to hold him out for Sunday’s 25-23 loss against the Detroit Lions.

While back at practice, Collins did say this was the first week he felt like he was cleared to play.

“I feel like myself,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s a great progression. Just stacking days, I feel like I’ve been attacking the rehab. That’s all you can do. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’m feeling great.”

The Texans are adding Collins back at the right time. Currently on a two-game losing streak, Houston needs a win just to re-enter the “contender” conversation among AFC teams.

Collins was the backbone of Houston’s offense. Through the first five weeks, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567) and ranked third in receptions (32).

No one benefitted from his Collins more than Stroud, who ranked third in passing yards (1,385), 10th in touchdowns (seven) and 10th in QBR (66.2) entering Week 6.

In Collins’ absence, Stroud has regressed. In the past five games, the second-year passer has ranked 17th in yards (986), tied for 19th in touchdowns (5) and 25th in QBR (41.3).

“I am just happy for him to be back with the team, be a part of the locker room again,” Stroud said. “They are in solitude, when players are injured, they are on their own. So I am glad he is just able to be around the guys again and be able to do the sport that he loves to play.”

Once Collins went on the injured reserve, two-time All-Pro target Stefon Diggs stepped up as the new No. 1. That lasted for three weeks before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tank Dell and John Metchie III each have served as Stroud’s go-to weapon in losses, but Collins should alleviate the pressure of the duo as the new threat. Stroud mentioned how Collins’ presence opens up plays for both young targets in the passing game/

“They all lead off of him, Nico is that type of player,” Stroud said. “It will be exciting to have him back.”

Houston faces a struggling Dallas defense that ranks 31st in run defense (152.1 yards per game) and 31st in scoring (28.8 points per game).

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

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

Several Texans players were not at practice on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Week 11’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday

The Houston Texans have an extra day to prepare for their matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

That means an extra day to get players healthy enough for action.

Receiver Nico Collins and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. practiced in pads for the first time in nearly a month after being added back to the active roster.

Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567 during the first five games, missed the past five weeks with a hamstring injury. Collins, who was limited on Thursday, was a full participant on Friday and plans to be “good to go” against the in-state opponent.

Edwards, who started the first six games for the Texans, was recently activated after serving a four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy.

The same might not be said about rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who did not practice Tuesday afternoon.

Lassiter, Houston’s No. 2 cornerback, left during the third quarter of Week 10’s 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions with a concussion. He’s currently in the protocol stages before being cleared to return.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and defensive tackle Foley Fatkukasi (foot) didn’t practice and might not make the trip north. Offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) went from being is expected to be back on Friday.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Texans and Cowboys after Friday’s practice:

Texans coach praises Cowboys backup QB Cooper Rush entering Week 11’s showdown

DeMeco Ryans sees the potential in Cooper Rush entering Week 11’s showdown between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys.

Cooper Rush might be a backup quarterback, but it’s best not to doubt a player who’s been a part of a team for years.

It’s worse to doubt a passer who’s proven they can win on any given Sunday.

Rush, who’s served as Dak Prescott’s backup since joining the Dallas Cowboys out of Central Michigan in 2017, has filled in for the latter before because of injury.

Prescott suffered a broken right thumb in a dispiriting opening-day loss in 2022, thus leaving the balance of the regular season in the hands of Rush. He kept morale high, going 4-1 as a starter for an eventual postseason-bound roster.

Sitting at 3-6, the Cowboys would need a comeback for the ages to enter the NFC postseason race, but Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans isn’t rushing to conclusions on Rush.

“Cooper has been there a while and he understands how to operate the offense very efficiently,” Ryans said Thursday. “When it comes to everything, every operation that goes with the offense, the checks, getting them in the proper plays, Cooper does a great job of managing all of the pre-snap operations and he does a great job of getting the ball out, finding his playmakers, making really good decisions with the football.”

Prescott will miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing hmastring surgery. Despite having former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance on the roster, the Cowboys are sticking with Rush for another week.

Rush, who’s started six games in eight seasons, completed 13 of his 23 pass attempts for 45 yards and fumbled twice in Sunday’s 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged that he “didn’t get Cooper into a rhythm” and said that Dallas needs to execute quicker if it plans on setting a tone.

For his career, Rush has completed 178 of 298 passes for 1,831 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

Ryans, who’s looking to get Houston back to its winning ways, isn’t paying attention to a Week 10 loss against the NFC East favorites. He’s looking at the body of work, which features Rush sitting at 4-2 all-time in the starting job.

“Cooper has a great record,” Ryans said. “When he’s started, he’s won a lot of games. So, we’re going in with the mindset of it being about the Texans and about us executing the right way.”

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Former NFL QB rips Texans offense for ‘entry-level’ play-calling

Chris Simms did not hold back breaking down the offensive play-calling of the Houston Texans through 10 weeks in 2024.

The Houston Texans made history for all the wrong reasons on Sunday night at NRG Stadium against the Detroit Lions.

Even with a five-takeaway game and a 16-point first-half lead, the Texans allowed the Lions to work their way back en route to a 26-23 victory thanks to a 52-yard game-winning field goal from Jake Bates.

The Texans became the second team since 1970 to lose in a game where the opposing quarterback throws five interceptions while holding a 15-point first-half lead.

So, who is to blame for the blunders? C.J. Stroud tossed two interceptions, including one in the end zone that would have gone for a touchdown pass to Tank Dell.

The defense allowed three total scoring drives, including two in the second half.

The usually accurate Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 53-yard attempt just before the Lions marched down the field to set up Bates’ game-winner.

Former NFL quarterback and NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms offered a bit of insight into the lackluster second half, noting Houston’s issues are primarily play-calling based.

“It’s a bigger problem than C.J. Stroud. He’s not perfect, but C.J. Stroud is still pretty damn good,” Simms told ESPN’s Kevin Clark. “It’s the second year of [offensive coordinator] Bobby Slowik’s scheme, and I do think people have caught on to that.“

Slowik has received ample criticism for his play-calling over the past five games. Houston hasn’t scored a touchdown in the second half since Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots.

That’s eight quarters and counting entering Monday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Simms criticized Slowik’s play design, stating that while he comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, it’s more as if the second-year coordinator is trying to mirror his mentor.

“It’s the Shanahan scheme, but it’s like the early, entry-level of the Shanahan scheme,” Simms said. “Now there needs to be more to it and a next level and a next group of plays.”

While the Texans need a switch-up, moving off Slowik’s play-calling might be a reach at the moment. Houston’s been without its top two receivers, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, since Week 8. 

Collins, who was activated off the injured reserve earlier this week, is expected to return for Monday’s outing in Arlington, thus adding more upside to the passing game for Stroud and his fellow receivers. 

Playing against an underwhelming opponent also helps. The Cowboys (3-6) enter Week 11 without starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who is out for the season with a hamstring injury. Dallas’ offense also ranks 30th in scoring and 19th in total defense. 

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

Texans QB C.J. Stroud ready for first showdown with Cowboys DE Micah Parsons

A rivalry could be brewing between Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud called Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons more than a friend. The second-year passer said Parsons is more like family and considers him “definitely a brother.

On Monday, Parsons, a favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, will play the role of bully older brother when trying to bring down Stroud behind the line of scrimmage at AT&T Stadium.

Good. Stroud wants Monday’s matchup to be a challenge.

“All that stuff is fun, but we will both be locked in and ready to win on Monday and ready to do our jobs to get a victory,” Stroud said Thursday of the matchup.

Once opponents in the Big Ten at Ohio State and Penn State, Parsons and Stroud first bonded when the latter appeared on the defensive end’s podcast “The Edge.” That transformed into a weekend of draft coverage with Bleacher Report.

Eventually, the two’s friendship went international as part of the ambassadors of the American football program. Stroud and Parsons visited  Beijing and Shanghai in China and Toyko in Japan while conducting football clinics.

It was there a friendship formed to brotherhood.

“(We’re) always messing with each other, always trying to one up one another,” Stroud said. “I have that relationship with my friends back home, too. I had my buddy (in Asia); he had his friend who came from home. We all just had a brotherhood when we left.”

Parsons and Stroud have something to play for beyond bragging rights. Houston (6-4) is coming off back-to-back losses after blowing first-half leads and has lost three of its last four games.

Dallas (3-6), which will be without Dak Prescott for the remainder of the season, plans on making a late push to the playoffs behind the defense’s backbone. Parsons serves as the captain. In his return last week, he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble.

“You can tell they have been dinged up a little bit,” Stroud said of the Cowboys’ defense. “Micah was a big part of that. His presence was felt against the Eagles last week.”

Stroud hasn’t gone up against Pasons in his career, but he respects his craft in a similar regard to teammate Will Anderson Jr., calling both players “relentless pass rushers” when trying to reach the quarterback.

“He is what I see in Will and what I see from those guys from the sideline, where I’m like, ‘Man, I am glad I am not on the other team,’ ” Stroud said. “He is that guy where you have to be like, ‘We’ve got to do something for this dude.’ “

Parsons has become a face of the NFL’s defensive corps. Stroud has transformed into one of the league’s top passers.

Monday will mark the first time the Texans and Cowboys have played since 2022. That December, Stroud was preparing for a College Football Playoff semifinal at Ohio State.

He now plans on winning for Houston. Maybe the NFL will transform the Lone Star Showdown into an annual rivalry with the two frienemies as headliners? 

“This will hopefully be one of many matchups,” Stroud said. “I wish him the best, and I always wish him the best.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 pm. The game will be nationally televised on ABC and ESPN. 

Texans vs. Cowboys injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

Several Texans players were not at practice on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Week 11’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday

The Houston Texans have an extra day to prepare for their matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

That means an extra day to get players healthy enough for action.

Receiver Nico Collins and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. practiced in pads for the first time in nearly a month after being added back to the active roster. Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567 during the first five games, missed the past five weeks with a hamstring injury.

Edwards, who started the first six games for the Texans, was recently activated after serving a four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy.

Both players are on the path to play Monday night in Arlington. The same might not be said about rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who did not practice Tuesday afternoon.

Lassiter, Houston’s No. 2 cornerback, left during the third quarter of Week 10’s 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions with a concussion. He’s currently in the protocol stages before being cleared to return.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and defensive tackle Foley Fatkukasi (foot) didn’t practice and might not make the trip north. Defensive end Denico Autry (rest day) is expected to be back on Friday.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Texans and Cowboys after Thursday’s practice:

Texans offense should turn corner with return of WR Nico Collins

The Texans are expecting to see wide receiver Nico Collins practice this week in preparation for their Lone Star showdown against the Cowboys.

Nico Collins should be ready on Monday night when the Houston Texans travel to Arlington to take on the Dallas Cowboys.

That’s perhaps the best news fans of the AFC South franchise could get after suffering a 26-23 loss in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. Collins was cleared to return after being elevated off the injury report, but the Texans chose to leave him inactive.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said everything is fine with Collins’ progression and that the move was made at the final hour.

“No setback with Nico,” Ryans said Tuesday. “It was just a game-time decision.

Sitting at 6-4, the Texans need Collins. John Metchie III and Tank Dell have stepped up as the new top weapon in place of the injured Stefon Diggs over the past two games, but they are better served as secondary options.

Collins is a legitimate top threat in the pros. He’s coming off a nearly 1,300-yard season in 2023 while forming a bond with the rising Stroud.

Before suffering a hamstring strain that sidelined him for five games, the 6-foot-4 Collins was on pace for a record-setting season in franchise history. His 567 receiving yards led the NFL by a deep margin. He also ranked third nationally in catches with 32.

The Texans are expecting Collins not only back, but at full speed during practice this week. He was designated to return from injured reserve Friday and practiced for the first time in over a month, but the walk-through wasn’t enough to show Houston’s medical staff to clear him.

Ryans said Collins’ comeback isn’t just welcomed, but it’s impactful. The Texans are 2-3 without the 25-year-old in the lineup. Stroud’s passing numbers have also taken a hit, dropping from a 69% completion rate to 55% over the past five games.

“Before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league,” Ryans said. “I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”

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

Texans cut veteran CB, sign former first-round OL

The Texans are making changes to the roster before their Week 11 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

An internal move has been made to the Houston Texans’ roster entering Week 11’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

The Texans are re-signing cornerback D’Angelo Ross and adding former first-round offensive tackle Cameron Erving to the practice squad.

In a corresponding move, Houston is releasing veteran All-Pro defensive back and return man Desmond King and offensive tackle David Sharpe.

Ross, who started two games in place of rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, was released on Saturday and cleared waivers. He was always expected to return to the practice squad, espeically given his knowledge of the defense.

In the two games Ross started, he allowed 10 catches on 10 targets and one touchdown for 148 receiving yards. He also recorded 13 tackles.

King, who started three seasons with the Texans, was a valuable asset to Houston’s success after rejoining the team following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In six games, he totaled 47 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups in seven games for the AFC South champions.

This past season, King played in one game as an elevation from the practice squad. He recorded one tackle.

Erving, a former first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, was part of the Texans’ roster during the preseason but was cut during roster trimdowns.

He’ll replace Sharpe as the potential added offensive lineman from the practice squad, especially given his position flexibility.

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

Texans vs. Cowboys broadcast map: Will the Week 11 game be on TV?

Here’s which games you can watch this weekend on top of the Houston Texans’ matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

After playing in primetime on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 10, the Houston Texans (6-4) will stay in front of a national TV audience on Monday when they visit the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) in Arlington.

The battle for the Lone Star State kicks off on ESPN and ABC as part of Week 11’s ‘Monday Night Football’ actions. Both teams are coming off losses and could use a premier win just to salvage a season of dismay.,

This is one of those games for the whole country to enjoy. So long as you have ABC or ESPN on your television, you’ll catch the showdown at AT&T Stadium between a pair of Texans-based squads looking to have bragging rights until the next time they meet.

Check the map from 506 Sports below to see what other games will be on in your area on Sunday afternoon. On CBS, most Texans will watch the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers before a national showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

On FOX, the Green Bay Packers will take on the Chicago Bears, headlined by the voice of seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be on the call for ESPN, while Lisa Salters will serve as the sidelines reporter in Arlington.

The Texans haven’t played at AT&T since 2022, when they lost, 27-23, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott with 41 seconds remaining.

.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.