Tag: Will Anderson

Patrick Mahomes drew a roughing penalty so weak even ESPN’s broadcast couldn’t believe it

Oh, c’mon.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the new Tom Brady in more than one way.

Not only is Mahomes a generational NFL quarterback with multiple Super Bowl rings… he’s also going to draw the most absurd roughing-the-passer calls in the league.

During Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round game in Kansas City against the Houston Texans, Will Anderson got a clear rush at Mahomes to force a throwaway.

The two made some minor contact at the end of the play, as a rushing defensive lineman and a quarterback are wont to do. However, the officials flagged Anderson for roughing the passer anyhow.

This call was so bad that ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk didn’t even agree with it.

Since Mahomes is the new Brady, he’s going to get these absolutely ridiculous calls. However, this one might be the worst of the 2024 season.

There was quite literally nothing Anderson could do to stop himself from contact, and these refs should have picked up the flag.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN. 

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3 bold predictions for Chargers’ playoff opener against Texans

In Jim Harbaugh’s first season as coach of the Chargers, he has led them to an 11-6 record and a trip to the playoffs.

Despite the game being at NRG Stadium in Houston, the Chargers are three-point favorites this weekend against the Texans. Jim Harbaugh has his squad playing some of the best football of the season.

It’s the first time Los Angeles takes the field in the playoffs since the epic collapse against the Jaguars back in 2022.

Here are some bold predictions in the Chargers-Texans AFC playoff tilt on Saturday:

Teams combine for 6+ sacks

There are lethal pass rushers on each side’s defense. Both teams were top-six in the NFL in sacks this season, so this isn’t even that bold of a prediction. Furthermore, both offensive lines are vulnerable. While there are elite tackles on both teams, the Texans allowed 54 sacks, tied for third-most in the NFL. The Chargers still had their flaws as well, particularly on the interior portion of their line, as they gave up 44 sacks. Expect guys like Khalil Mack and Will Anderson Jr. to wreck havoc on multiple instances this weekend.

Quentin Johnston goes for 70+ yards again

Texans Pro Bowl corner Derek Stingley Jr. will more than likely shadow Ladd McConkey on Saturday. As a result, that should open the field up for other Chargers playmakers. Johnston had a career day in Week 18 with 13 catches for 186 yards. He’s been nursing a thigh injury throughout the week, so his status for the game is something to keep an eye on. Assuming he plays, he should be in line for another big day.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Justin Herbert throws an INT

Across 503 pass attempts this year, Herbert miraculously threw just three interceptions. That’s an outstanding number, but something has to give this weekend. The Texans defense snagged 19 interceptions this season, the second-most in the NFL. Houston has two secondary members with five interceptions each and playmakers all over the defense. With limited weapons at wideout, Herbert gets overly aggressive and makes an uncharacteristic mistake.

5 Texans players to watch vs. Chargers in wild-card round

Nico Collins is just of several game-changing players that the Chargers will have keep an eye on this weekend in Houston.

The Chargers and Texans play on Saturday afternoon to open up the 2024 NFL postseason. Barring an upset from the other two games, the winner of this contest will more than likely face the Chiefs next weekend.

The Texans have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, so here are five specific players to watch on Saturday at NRG Stadium.

WR Nico Collins

Collins has turned into one of the most dynamic wideouts in all of football. With Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell out for the season, all eyes will be on Collins in this one. Not only is he a threat underneath, but he is C.J. Stroud’s favorite deep ball threat as well. If the Chargers want to win this game, limiting Collins should be their No. 1 priority.

TE Dalton Schultz

With some big-time playmakers out, Stroud hasn’t been able to find much of anyone to step up recently. A guy like Schultz will play a crucial role in this contest, as he may be the Texans’ second-best pass catcher now behind Collins. His numbers were slightly down across the board this year, as he had his lowest outputs in catches (53), yards (532), and touchdowns (2) since his 2019 sophomore campaign.

OT Laremy Tunsil

Recently, Tunsil was announced as a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in the last six seasons. He’s evolved into one of the best tackles in all of football, and his matchup against the Chargers pass rush may end up being the deciding factor in this game. The Texans gave up 54 sacks in the regular season, tied for third-most in the league, but Tunsil gave up just two of those.

CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Stingley has taken a massive step forward in 2024, and that has earned him his first career nod to the Pro Bowl. The LSU product regularly guarded opposing offenses’ biggest threats, yet he was still very productive. His five regular season interceptions finished tied-for-fifth in the NFL. It’ll be interesting to see if he travels with Ladd McConkey at all in this one.

S Jalen Pitre

The Texans defense is littered with young playmakers, and Pitre fits that description. Now in his third NFL season, he missed five games this season. It was obvious when he was out of the lineup, as the defense missed his presence. On the season, he finished with 65 total tackles, eight pass deflections, six tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble.

NFL’s sack leaders (including Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.) entering Week 17

Did Danielle Hunter or Will Anderson Jr. gain ground in the hunt for the title of sack master in 2024 following Wednesday’s Christmas game?

How good is the duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter? Let’s just say the Houston Texans duo are in a class of their own.

Well, they share the title with another duo from the Great White North.

Along with Minnesota Vikings pass rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andre Van Ginkel, Anderson and Hunter are the only pass-rushing duo to have double-digit sacks entering Week 17. Both rank inside the top eight in sacks and top five in tackles for loss.

During Wednesday’s 31-2 loss against the Baltimore Ravens, Hunter didn’t record a sack and finished with four total tackles. Anderson the former No. 3 overall pick, was one of two players to finish with a sack and led the team with two tackles for loss.

Going the rest of Week 17, Hunter ranks second in the NFL with 12 sacks, trailing only Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson. Anderson, who joins J.J. Watt as the second Texans player to record double-digit sacks in his second season, now ranks just outside the top five with 11 on the year.

Hunter remains a dark horse to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year entering the season finale against the Tennessee Titans. Anderson, who ranks eighth in the NFL with 16 tackles for loss, also could gain ground with a sound performance in Nashville next week.

NFL sack leaders going into Week 17

  1. Trey Hendrickson: 13.5
  2. Danielle Hunter: 12.0
  3. Myles Garrett: 12.0
  4. Kyle Van Noy: 10.5
  5. T.J. Watt: 11.5
  6. Nik Bonitto: 11.5
  7. Will Anderson: 11.0
  8. Andrew Van Ginkel: 11.0
  9. Jonathan Greenard: 11.0
  10. Will McDonald: 10.0

The Texans, who already clinched the AFC South division title in Week 15, hit the road next week after 10 days off to take on the Titans at Nissan Stadium.

Todd Monken needs a good game plan against Texans’ Will Anderson Jr.

It will be interesting to see how Todd Monken utilizes Lamarr Jackson in a way that counteracts Will Anderson Jr. and Danelle Hunter.

Certain individual NFL players are just so dominant that you label them “game-changers.” The Houston Texans’ defensive end, Will Anderson Jr., is a great example.

In college, he won the Nagurski, Bednarik, and Lott awards, which honor the nation’s best overall defensive player. He also won the Lombardi Award, which recognizes the best overall lineman.

The third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anderson made the Pro Bowl and won the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season. And it feels like he’s only just getting started.

Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is obviously prepping on how best to try and slow down Anderson, as well as Danielle Hunter, the Texans’ other Pro Bowl defensive end, who plays opposite him.

In a dozen games (he missed the other three with an ankle injury) this season, Anderson has registered 10.5 sacks, 32 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 15 quarterback hits. While he specializes in getting into opposing backfields, he can also change the game with QB hits, hurries, and knockdowns.

“As a rusher, one thing you love is getting sacks, but it’s so much more than just getting in sacks, you know, affecting the quarterback can come in various ways,” Anderson said exclusively to RG. “We are talking about just pushing the pocket. We want to penetrate.”

Anderson stuffs the stat sheet, whether it be traditional or next-generation stats. Pro Football Focus currently grades him at 85.4, ranking him ninth best out of 205 NFL Edges.

This Christmas, we’ll (as long as you have Netflix or a ticket or media credential to the game) all get the gift of seeing Anderson in pursuit of arguably the most outstanding runner the quarterback position has ever seen.

Jackson, who is as mobile a QB as you will ever see, will become the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards for a quarterback on Wednesday if he rushes for 87 or more yards.

It will be interesting to see how Monken utilizes Jackson to counteract Anderson and Hunter. If used effectively and strategically, rollouts can quickly negate the impact of an aggressive blitz.

Of course, the best way to eliminate edge rushers or dominate the run is for Monken to do a lot with Jackson and Derrick Henry’s zone-read pairing.

While Monken isn’t perfect, his work has received much praise this season, and deservedly so. It may not be long before he is in the main seat somewhere.

You cannot doubt that he’s drawn up something special in this week’s game prep.

 

 

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. nominated for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. continues to rack up accolades in 2024.

Will Anderson Jr. continues to rack up the accolades for Houston Texans in a breakout second season at NRG Stadium.

Anderson was nominated as Texans’ representative for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on Friday.

The nominees for all 32 teams were announced earlier this week by the NFL:

The award represents “an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition,” according to the league’s website.

The award will be ” determined by a vote of current NFL players,” and the winner will “receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.”

Anderson remains one of the league’s top pass rushers as his second season comes to a close. While sharing the spotlight with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, the former No. 3 overall pick ranks in the top 10 among all defenders in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12.5) and QB hits (31).

The winner is announced during the end of season “NFL Honors” Award show before the Super Bowl.

The Texans travel to EverBank Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at noon CT.

Texans-Cowboys inactives: Who’s in, who’s out for Week 11

Here’s who’s out for the Houston Texans against the Dallas Cowboys on ‘Monday Night Football.’

For the most part, the Houston Texans know who won’t be suiting up at AT&T Stadium on Monday night.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot) and cornerback Kamari Lassiter (concussion) all were listed as inactive for another primetime against the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) was ruled out before the team left for Arlington on Sunday afternoon.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah was listed as questionable after being limited all week in practice but his status wasn’t really in serious doubt. He’s officially active, along with defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. and will back up Ka’Dar Hollman in Houston’s secondary.

The Texans should have Lassiter back next week after he was cleared to practice on Sunday. Houston has been precautious all season with players in concussion protocol.

On the opposing side, wideout CeeDee Lamb, who was listed as questionable for the week, will suit up for ‘Monday Night Football.’ In 2022 when Houston visited Arlington,the All-Pro target caught five balls for 33 yards.

Here’s the full inactive list for both the Texans and Cowboys. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Houston Texans (6-4)

Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

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:

Is Will Anderson Jr. playing tonight? Latest injury updates for Texans DE

Will Anderson Jr. has been dealing with an ankle injury suffered in Week 9’s loss against the New York Jets and now will miss Sunday’s game.

The Houston Texans return home for Sunday Night Football in what could be a potential Super Bowl preview vs. the Detroit Lions. While the Texans will have multiple defenders back, one player could be out for another week.

Second-year defensive end Will Anderson Jr. did not practice throughout the week after suffering an ankle injury in Week 9’s loss against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Does that mean he’s out against the NFC favorites?

Here’s an update on the Texans’ star pass-rusher heading into their third primetime game.

Will Anderson Jr. injury update

Anderson, who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, left during the first quarter of Week 9’s loss after linebacker Neville Hewitt landed on his ankle. He was helped off the field by medical staff and was in and out of the medical blue tent.

While Anderson tried to return to the game, he was limited, playing four total snaps before halftime. After the break, the Texans listed him as questionable, but he did not return to help Houston mount a comeback.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Anderson was in good spirits, but the team would be carefully monitoring him throughout the week.

“He’s doing well,” Ryans said at Wednesday’s press conference. “We’ll see where he ends up.

After missing Friday’s walkthrough, Anderson was ruled out for Sunday night.

How long will Will Anderson be out? 

It’s a week-to-week injury. If Anderson returns to practice next week, he’ll have an extra day to recover before the Texans travel to Arlington to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11 at AT&T Stadium.

If he’s not, Houston could hold him out until Week 12 or 13 when it needs a win over AFC South foes Tennessee and Indianapolis, respectively.

Will Anderson Jr. stats

The former No. 3 overall pick was on a tear entering his sophomore season. Anderson was recently named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month the morning before his injury on Halloween after totaling five sacks and an NFL-leading seven tackles for loss in October.

Houston’s pass rush had led the NFL in pressures (128) before the Jets game. The Texans were held to just six pressures when Anderson wasn’t on the field last week.

For the season, Anderson has 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. At the time of his injury, he led the league in tackles for loss and ranked third in sacks.

Texans DE depth chart

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

  • Danielle Hunter
  • Derek Barnett
  • Denico Autry
  • Dylan Horton

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

Lions vs Texans: Final injury report and medical analysis

Lions vs Texans: Final injury report and medical analysis for the Week 10 matchup in Houston

I’m currently in Houston where it is warm (good) and very humid (bad). As a person who doesn’t like the feeling of having to take a shower every five minutes, I’m looking forward to watching the Lions in the air-conditioned comfort of the Texans indoor stadium. Technically, the roof is retractable so there is a chance it is opened to the night air, but it has only been open for one game since the 2021 season.

I’m also looking forward to seeing the fresh energy of multiple key Lions who got some non-injury-related time off – Brian Branch (ejection), Josh Paschal (shoulder mass excision), and Jameson Williams (suspension).

The Lions got a surprise downgrade this week with Taylor Decker who is out. The Lions haven’t played a backup OT yet this year (except for garbage time), so this could impact the game significantly. The rest of the Lions active starting roster on both sides of the ball is intact.

The Texans will be missing a star player on defense (Will Anderson), and likely their #1 WR on offense (Nico Collins). While Collins’ status is technically up-in-the-air, I have multiple reasons listed below why I suspect he won’t play.

The Texans #2 WR, Stefan Diggs is already out with an ACL. Thus, the Texans may be without their top three WR’s as there was a surprise downgrade during the week to #3 WR Tank Dell.

DETROIT LIONS

Taylor Decker OT (UL LP NP – Out) shoulder

Decker presumably hurt his shoulder in practice this week. Dan Campbell stated it’s probably not “something major” which is reassuring. Decker has a history of shoulder surgery in 2017 and it’s unknown if the current injury is related.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB (NP NP NP – Out) neck

The 3x NP is a bit concerning after being injured last game. It’s reassuring that he returned to the game late for the onside kick which suggests there were no signs of a spinal issue. Whether he is put on IR this weekend will tell us a lot.

Malcolm Rodriguez LB (NP NP NP – Out) ankle

Rodriguez suffered a scary-looking left ankle sprain early in the Titans game and missed the last game. There was optimism he might be available this weekend but that won’t happen. With 3x NP this week, next game vs the Jaguars is also in doubt.

Za’Darius Smith DE (NP NP FP – Questionable) personal

Smith got two days off to acclimate to his trade from the Browns. He hasn’t had a bye yet and the Lions did, so the Lions may give him a game off at some point. That game might be this Sunday.

Josh Paschal DE (FP FP FP – In) illness

Paschal is ready to go after missing two games for a benign shoulder mass excision.

Emmanuel Moseley CB (FP FP FP – Out) pec

Moseley’s tore his pec in August and has been out all year. His 21-day practice window opened November 6 which keeps him tracking along the 16-week timeline of CJ Gardner-Johnson’s pec tear of last year. Expect Moseley to be available around Thanksgiving.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S (FP FP FP – Out) ankle

Melifonwu has been out since the middle of preseason with a suspected Achilles issue. His 21-day practice window opened on November 6 which is a good sign that he’ll be available later this month.

Sione Vaki RB (FP FP FP – In) knee

Vaki hurt his knee late in the Titans game and missed the last game. Good news that it was minor.

Mekhi Wingo DT (FP FP FP – In) ankle

Wingo hurt his ankle presumably in practice last week and missed the last game. He is a valuable backup at the DT position.

Brodric Martin DT (FP FP FP – Out) knee

Martin is in his 2nd week of his 21-day practice window. Expect him to be moved to the active roster around November 20.

NOTABLES

Jameson Williams returns from his two game suspension.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Nico Collins WR (NP NP LP – Questionable) hamstring

The Texans top WR logically will be out for multiple reasons:
1)Hamstrings benefit from gradual ramp-up to prevent aggravation and a single LP is as steep a ramp as you can have.
2)He’s already missed four weeks to this injury so if he was going to try to play this Sunday, he would have started practicing on Wednesday. It’s not like those two extra rest days is making a significant difference in recovery for a game this weekend.

Tank Dell WR (UL UL LP – Questionable) back

If Dell can’t go, that would mean the Texans might be without their top 3 receivers on the year.

Will Anderson DE (NP NP NP – Out) ankle

On video, this star pass-rusher appeared to suffer a left high ankle sprain last game. Even mild high ankles can take a while to recover from, especially at the DE position (see Micah Parsons). Anderson leads the team with 7.5 sacks on the year so this is a big loss.

Derek Barnett DE (NP LP FP – In) calf/shoulder

Barnett is a part-timer at DE and has 2 sacks on the year. He likely will have a larger role with Anderson out.

NOTABLES

Stefan Diggs, the Texans 2nd-leading WR, is out for the year with a right ACL.

Mario Edwards, starting DT, is serving a suspension and is out for this game.

Kenyon Green, starting LG, is out for the year and was replaced by Kendrick Green last game.

Here is the full Texans report: