Tag: Texans vs. Lions

Lions vs Texans: Thursday injury report

Here’s the injury report from Thursday’s practice between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.

Another day, another practice without Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins.

Collins and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. were absent for a second consecutive day at Thursday’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s primetime matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Collins is progressing, but the team has not elevated him from the injured reserve and opened his 21-day recovery window.

“Nico is doing good,” Ryans said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

Anderson, a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, suffered an ankle in the first quarter of the Texans’ 21-13 loss to the New York Jets last Thursday night. The former No. 3 overall pick had to be helped off the field by training staff and was in and out of the medical tent throughout the first half.

Anderson tried returning three times, playing four total snaps, before eventually being ruled questionable the rest of the evening.

“He’s doing well,” Ryans said of Anderson. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

Here’s the remaining injury report from Thursday’s practice for both teams.

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DE Will Anderson Jr. ankle DNP DNP
DL Foley Fatukasi concussion DNP DNP
OL Kenyon Green shoulder DNP DNP
RB Dameon Pierce groin DNP DNP
LB Jake Hansen ankle LP DNP
LB Azeez Al-Shaair knee LP LP
DE Derek Barnett calf DNP LP
DE Dylan Horton illness DNP LP
DE Jerry Hughes hip LP LP
CB Jeff Okudah hip LP LP
DB Jimmie Ward groin LP LP
OL Shaw Mason hip DNP FP

Detriot Lions

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DE Za’Darius Smith personal DNP DNP
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin neck DNP DNP
LB Malcolm Rodriguez ankle DNP DNP
DL Brodric Martin knee FP FP
OT Taylor Decker shoulder — LP
S Ifeatu Melifonwu ankle FP FP
CB Emmanuel Mosley pectoral FP FP
DL Mekhi Wingo ankle FP FP
RB Sione Vaki knee FP FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Should the Texans have made a trade for former All-Pro guard at deadline?

The Houston Texans remained quiet at the NFL trade deadline, but could you imagine if they added an All-Pro guard?

The Houston Texans remained quiet as 3 p.m. rolled around Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline.

Almost too quiet for a franchise sitting at 6-3 and in the hunt for a top-two seed in the AFC. Outside of sending Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings and Khalil Davis to the San Francisco 49ers, Houston stayed out of talks.

Should that be the case? Fans disagreed with general manager Nick Caserio’s decision to remain pat instead of fixing the offensive line. Several analysts agree, stating that Houston’s interior trench play needs a new face if quarterback C.J. Stroud plans to survive through the 2024 regular season.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon mentioned that the Texans should have inquired about a deal built around Dallas Cowboys All-Pro offensive lineman Zack Martin, especially with Kenyon Green out for the remainder of the regular season.

“The aging and expensive Zack Martin may be nearing the end of his time days in Dallas if the team undergoes a reset soon,” Gagnon wrote. “In-state neighbor Houston would have made a lot of sense as a landing spot for Martin. The Texans were already a mess along the offensive line even before losing starter Kenyon Green to a season-ending shoulder injury. Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud needs more protection and support, and the interior line needs more talent in general. Martin could have brought that to the table as well as veteran leadership for a team that is quite young but expects to contend this year.”

Sitting a 3-5, Dallas must win its next four games to finish above .500 without Dak Prescott. The Pro Bowl quarterback is on injured reserve and won’t be cleared to return until after Dec. 1.

In Houston, Martin would pair next to All-Pro tackle Laremy Tunsil, thus leaving Tytus Howard out at right tackle while giving ample secondary reps for Blake Fisher to learn the position.

The Texans now must turn to either Jarrett Patterson or Kendrick Green in pace of Kenyon Green following his season-ending shoulder injury. Both have struggled in pass protection when on the field working with the first-team offense.

Houston returns to NRG Stadium for a  Sunday Night Football showdown in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions.

Lions vs Texans: Wednesday injury report

Here’s the injury report from Wednesday’s practice between the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.

Another day, another practice without Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins.

Collins, along with defensive end Will Anderson Jr., was absent from Wednesday’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions on primetime.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins is making progress, but the team has not elevated him from the injured reserve and opened his 21-day recovery window.

“Nico is doing good,” Ryans said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

The go-to target for C.J. Stroud, Collins was on pace for a career year before landing on the IR in Week 5 after suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills.  The Texans’ leader in receiving yards (567) is eligible to be activated this week and could be a late addition to the roster come Friday.

Anderson, a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, suffered an ankle in the first quarter of the Texans’ 21-13 loss to the New York Jets last Thursday. The former No. 3 overall pick had to be helped off the field by training staff and was in and out of the medical tent throughout the first half.

Anderson tried returning three times, playing four total snaps, before eventually being ruled questionable the rest of the evening.

“He’s doing well,” Ryans said of Anderson. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

Not only does Anderson lead the Texans in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11) but he ranks second in TFLs nationally.

Here’s the remaining injury report from Wednesday’s practice.

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
DE Will Anderson Jr. ankle DNP
DE Derek Barnett calf DNP
OL Kenyon Green shoulder DNP
DL Foley Fatukasi groin DNP
RB Dameon Pierce groin DNP
LB Azeez Al-Shaair knee LP
LB Jake Hansen ankle LP
DE Jerry Hughes hip LP
OL Shaq Mason hip LP
CB Jeff Okudah quad LP
OT Laremy Tunsil rest LP
DB Jimmie Ward groin LP
OL Jarrett Patterson concussion FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Detroit Lions

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin neck DNP
LB Malcolm Rodriguez ankle DNP
DE Za’Darius Smith rest DNP
DL Brodric Martin knee FP
S Ifeatu Melifonwu ankle FP
CB Emmanuel Mosley pectoral FP
DE Josh Paschal illness FP
DL Mekhi Wingo ankle FP
RB Sione Vaki knee FP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

 

Will Texans WR Nico Collins play on Sunday vs. Lions?

Nico Collins is inching closer back to playing and recently received a positive update surrounding his hamstring.

Nico Collins is eligible to come off the injured reserve just in time for the Houston Texans’ Week 10 showdown against the Detroit Lions.

Will he? According to one report, it’s possible.

According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Collins has passed multiple tests for his hamstring injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills with zero setbacks. He’s also regained his speed and mobility, running up to 20 mph on the treadmill.

Houston, which is coming off a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football, needs to find a stable No. 2 weapon.

Tank Dell took over as the team’s top weapon, hauling in six passes for 126 yards, but he struggled while working behind Stefon Diggs in Collins’ absence.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team would “monitor” Collins throughout the week before determining if he’s ready to come off the injured list. The fourth-year pass-catcher didn’t practice Wednesday.

Once the Texans activate Collins’ 21-day window, they’ll have time to rest the hamstring before reaching a decision. If all goes according to plan, Houston could have Collin back no later than Monday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Before leaving against the Bills, Collins was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also ranked third in receptions with 32 and was averaging 18.9 yards per catch.

Much like when Joe Mixon was sidelined, Houston’s offense has been built around a consistent focal point. Collins, who signed a three-year extension in the offseason, finished with three outings of at least 100 yards and six catches during Mixon’s absence.

Since his departure, the Texans have leaned on Mixon, who recently became the team’s first running back since Arian Foster to rush for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown in four consecutive games.

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

Lions add new DE before Week 10 matchup vs. Texans

The Detriot Lions are adding in a defensive end just in time to face off against the Houston Texans in Week 10 on Sunday Night Football.

The Houston Texans must prepare for the Detroit Lions, but must also study some Cleveland Browns’ defensive line tape.

The Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith in a trade with the AFC North franchise early Tuesday morning, adding a veteran pass rusher to their defense just a few hours before the 3 p.m. 2024 NFL trade deadline.

Smith, who’s racked up five sacks in nine games this season, is expected to be good to go when the Lions (7-1) take on the Texans (6-3) on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.

Smith, 32, has been a constant No. 2 option in the pass-rushing department over his decade in the Pros. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 career sacks over the past 10 seasons with the Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.

Houston’s offensive line should at least know what to expect from Smith since Laremy Tunsil, Juice Scruggs and Shaq Mason went head-to-head with him twice down the stretch last season, including in the AFC Wild Card Round. Smith recorded two sacks on Christmas Eve against Case Keenum in the Browns’ 36-22 win during the regular season.

The Texans had the last laugh after taking him out of the game in a 45-14 win the following month in the wild-card matchup at home.

The Lions, winners of six straight and NFC favorites, have struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks since Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Hutchinson was the star player, but not the only defender to sustain a season-ending injury, as fellow edge rusher Marcus Davenport suffered a knee injury last month. Detriot has recorded five other quarterback hits by defensive linemen in the past two games.

Houston’s offensive line could be in trouble if Smith starts hot. The Texans have allowed the second-most sacks (31) and the fourth-most pressures (89) through nine games this season.

“We have to be at our best at all times,” offensive lineman Tytus Howard said Monday. “We see everybody and hear everybody talk. We just have to be better because, at the end of the day, if we do our job, they don’t any reason to be talking about us.”

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

Texans provide injury update on WR Nico Collins

The Houston Texans might be without their star receiver another week heading into Sunday’s showdown against the NFC North favorites.

The Houston Texans are in wait-and-see mode with wide receiver Nico Collins entering Sunday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the star pass-catcher would be “evaluated closely” this week to determine his status for the matchup against the NFC North favorites.

“We’ll continue to evaluate Nico throughout the week and see where he is,” Ryans said Monday.

Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567, is eligible to return from injured reserve after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.

Houston needs a consistent target in the passing game now with Stefon Diggs sidelined following his torn ACL suffered in Week 8. Tank Dell turned the corner with his 126-yard outing in Thursday’s loss against the New York Jets but has been massively inconsistent through the first eight games.

Detriot enters Sunday’s matchup at 7-1 and is coming off a 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

“You see the mindset, the toughness, physicality, their style of play,” Ryans said of the Lions. “It shows up on tape every week, and they got really good players as well across the board. They have a lot of good players, a lot of good young players that are exhibiting that mindset and that culture. It is a really good team coming in here this week and we are very excited about the matchup.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Will Jeff Okudah play this week? Latest injury updates for Texans CB

Jeff Okudah has been on the injured reserve since he aggravated a hip against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1’s win.

The Houston Texans aren’t back to full strength yet, but they could gain an essential part of their defensive depth in the trenches for Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on NBC.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah was cleared to return to practice for the first time in months on Monday. Here’s what happened and his current status entering Sunday Night’s matchup at NRG Stadium.

Jeff Okudah injury update

Okudah, one of Houston’s defensive additions this offseason, was placed on injured reserve after he aggravated a hip injury against the Indianapolis Colts. Serving as Houston’s No. 3 cornerback, Okudah was used in multiple formations opposite Derek Stingley Jr. and in place of the young Kamari Lassiter.

Houston elected to activate Okudah’s 21-day window to be restored to the active roster. The team will have until Nov. 25 to decide if they’ll bring him back to the 53-man squad or return him to the injured reserve for the remainder of the regular season.

Jeff Okudah stats

Drafted by the Lions out of Ohio State in 2020, the former No. 3 overall pick only recorded one tackle before being placed on the IR back in Week 1. A former All-American, Okduah played in 13 games last season for the Atlanta Falcons and had 44 tackles and three pass deflections.

Since leaving Columbus, Okudah has played in 38 games and has 31 career starts under his belt. He’s recorded 168 career tackles, two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown.

Texans CB depth chart

With Okudah out, it’s been a rotation of talent behind Lassiter and Stingley. Here’s the rest of the defensive ends on the active roster:

  • Derek Stingley Jr.
  • Kamari Lassiter
  • D’Angleo Ross
  • Kris Boyd
  • Ka’Dar Hollmon

Where are the Texans picking in the 2025 NFL draft after Week 9?

Where do the Houston Texans fall in the draft order entering Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions?

The Houston Texans are thinking of the postseason, but some fans are looking toward the 2025 NFL draft for their next hopeful franchise guard.

With Kenyon Green suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 9’s 21-13 loss against the New York Jets, it’s clear his time with the Texans has reached its end. Now, Houston must look for a long-term replacement in either free agency or the draft.

Interior offensive linemen usually fall in the draft, given their value compared to tackles. Barring a trade of four-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, Houston should be content with its book ends. Either second-round pick Blake Fisher or veteran Tytus Howard should take over at right tackle in 2025.

Howard, who inked a three-year extension before the 2023 season, could also shift inside to guard, leaving a hole at right guard in place of the struggling Shaq Mason. Houston could part ways with the veteran lineman since he’ll be paid up on all his guaranteed money from the extension signed in 2023.

If the Texans target a lineman in the draft, defensive tackle, safety and receiver could all be options in the first round.

Here’s a look at where the Texans are listed and after the Week 9 loss and the full draft order projection from Talkathon:

  • Round 1, No. 25 overall
  • Round 2, No. 57 overall
  • Round 3, No. 89 overall
  • Round 4, No. 126 overall
  • Round 5, No. 166 overall (via BUF)
  • Round 7, No. 240 overall

All those numbers could improve if the Texans can respond on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions later this week. Houston remains the favorite to win the AFC South and could be in line for the No. 2 if they finish with the same record as the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens, given their head-to-head wins.

Houston should look better on offense with the return of receiver Nico Collins, who is expected to be elevated off the injured reserve this week. The Texans will be without Stefon Diggs, however, after his torn ACL suffered in Week 8’s win over the Colts.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.

Texans add offensive lineman to practice squad before trade deadline

The Houston Texans are bringing in another offensive lineman before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon.

The Houston Texans might not have added a top-level offensive lineman before the trade deadline, but they’ve added at least one new member to their trenches.

According to KRPC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Houston signed former Tennessee starter Jerome Carvin to the practice squad. A former member of the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs, Carvin has experience at both guard and center.

A two-year starter for the Volunteers, Carvin played left guard and center for the Bears in the preseason. He posted a 72.0 overall Pro Football Focus analytics grade.

https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1853447385831055718

The Texans need depth in the interior offensive line in the wake of struggling starting left guard Kenyon Green dislocating his shoulder and is slated to be placed on the season-ending injured reserve. Fellow offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson remains in concussion protocol.

The Texans (6-3) return to NRG Stadium to take on the Detroit Lions this Sunday at 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally broadcast on NBC.