Tag: Houston Texans

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NFL (American Football)

Texans Dealing with Setbacks: C.J. Stroud Enters Concussion Protocol, Nico Collins Exits Early

C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins (Credits: USA Today)

The Houston Texans faced a series of setbacks in their recent 30-6 defeat against the New York Jets, losing rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and top receiver Nico Collins during the game.

Stroud, who led the NFL in passing yards, is now in concussion protocol after a late hit from Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams caused the back of his helmet to hit the turf. This occurred with 6:43 left in the game. Stroud, visibly in pain, was attended to by the Texans’ training staff before being escorted to the locker room for further evaluation. Despite Williams’ hit seeming late, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the need for better protection rather than dwelling on the collision.

On social media, Williams expressed his hope for Stroud’s well-being, wishing him “nothing but the best.” Next Gen Stats revealed that Stroud faced pressure on 44% of his dropbacks, resulting in four sacks and six additional hits. The rookie quarterback, who entered the game with 3,540 passing yards, ended with his lowest output of the season, completing 10 of 23 passes for 91 yards without any touchdowns or interceptions.

C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins (Credits: NFL)

Texans right guard Shaq Mason acknowledged the offensive line’s collective shortcomings, emphasizing their responsibility to protect the quarterback. Backup quarterback Davis Mills took over for Stroud but struggled under the Jets’ defensive pressure, going 1-for-5 for 4 yards.

Mills expressed the difficulty of seeing Stroud go down, and if Stroud is sidelined, Mills will step in. With 26 career starts and a 5-20-1 record, Mills has thrown for 5,802 yards with 33 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

In addition to Stroud, the Texans lost Nico Collins to a calf injury in the first offensive drive of the game. Although Collins surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season, reaching 1,004 yards, he left the game shortly thereafter.

Coach Ryans acknowledged the impact of Collins’ injury, contributing to the Texans’ season-low total offense of 135 yards. However, he credited the Jets for making plays, emphasizing that the outcome was determined by the opponents’ performance rather than individual injuries.

The Texans faced further challenges with key players already absent, including wide receiver Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz. Linebacker Blake Cashman and cornerback Tavierre Thomas also suffered hamstring injuries during the game and did not return.

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NFL (American Football)

NFL Suspends Houston Texans Linebacker Denzel Perryman for Three Games Following Violations of Play Safety Rules

Denzel Perryman
Denzel Perryman (Credits: Oregon Live)

Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman is set to sit out the next three games due to a suspension imposed by the NFL. The league announced the decision on Tuesday, attributing the disciplinary action to Perryman’s repeated infractions of play safety regulations during the Texans’ surprising victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.

During the game, the 30-year-old veteran was penalized for unnecessary roughness after delivering a helmet-to-helmet hit on Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the fourth quarter. In a letter to Perryman, Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, deemed the hit a serious violation of playing rules. Runyan argued that Perryman could have avoided the forceful hit by not lowering his head and delivering a blow to the shoulder and head/neck area of the receiver when he had an unobstructed path to his opponent.

Denzel Perryman
Denzel Perryman

This isn’t Perryman’s first brush with disciplinary action; he has accumulated six violations for similar personal fouls throughout his career. Earlier in the season, he was fined by the league for actions in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.

In response to Perryman’s repeated violations, Runyan emphasized the need for more substantial penalties when players compromise the safety rules designed to protect players. Perryman’s suspension means he won’t receive pay during the three-game period, and he has the option to file an appeal.

If Perryman chooses to appeal, the hearing will be conducted by either Derrick Brooks or James Thrash, who are jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and the Players Association to decide appeals of on-field player discipline. Perryman will remain ineligible to return to the Texans’ active roster until December 4, missing the team’s games against the Denver Broncos on December 3 and a Week 14 matchup with the New York Jets in New Jersey.

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NFL (American Football)

Texans’ Derek Stingley Returns, Secondary Reinforced for Week 10 Bengals Showdown

Derek Stingley
Derek Stingley (Credits: NFL)

Ahead of their Week 10 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Houston Texans are set to bolster their secondary with the return of cornerback Derek Stingley. Recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in a Week 3 practice, Stingley, the 2022 No. 2 pick, is back in action after a series of setbacks in his first two seasons, including a foot injury that limited his playing time to just three games during his final season at LSU.

Despite the challenges, Stingley has showcased promising talent when on the field. In 2022, opposing quarterbacks had a modest 70.1 passer rating when targeting him, and remarkably, he hasn’t allowed a touchdown in coverage throughout his 11-game career.

Derek Stingley
Derek Stingley (Credits: Click 2 Houston)

Stingley’s comeback is timely, given the recent string of injuries in the Texans’ secondary. During the Week 9 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, cornerback Steven Nelson (neck), safety Jimmie Ward (hamstring), and defensive back M.J. Stewart (shoulder) suffered injuries. Stewart has been placed on injured reserve, Ward is ruled out for Week 10, and Nelson is listed as questionable. In response to the depleted secondary, the Texans have signed defensive back Grayland Arnold to the active roster.

Not limited to the secondary, the Texans also faced challenges in their kicking department. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn sustained a quad injury in the second quarter against the Buccaneers. In an unusual turn of events, running back Dare Ogunbowale stepped in, making a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. This marked the first instance since 2004 when wide receiver Wes Welker achieved a similar feat for the Miami Dolphins.

Fairbairn’s quad injury has led to his placement on the injured reserve, prompting the Texans to sign kicker Matt Amendola during the week and elevate him to the 53-man roster in preparation for the upcoming matchup against the Bengals.

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NFL (American Football)

Saints vs Texans: Anticipating the Saints’ Defense Confronting Its Most Formidable Opponent Yet

Texans vs Saints
Texans vs Saints (Credits: Houston Texans & New Orleans Saints)

In their upcoming game, the New Orleans Saints are gearing up to face the Houston Texans in what marks the Saints’ fourth away game in just five weeks. This particular match poses a significant challenge for the Saints due to the impressive performance of the Texans’ offense in the 2023 season, led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Despite the Saints’ defense typically excelling against inexperienced quarterbacks, Stroud has emerged as the most outstanding offensive rookie, making him a formidable opponent for the Saints.

Saints vs Texans
Saints are Ready to Confront Their Most Formidable Opponent Till Now (Credits: Houston Texans & New Orleans Saints)

Currently standing at 2-3, the Texans are a young team under the guidance of a first-year head coach, navigating the learning curve as they progress. In contrast, the Saints, with a record of 3-2, boast a wealth of experience on both offense and defense.

According to Caesars Sportsbook, the odds for this match are extremely close, with the Saints having a mere two-point advantage. Below, we delve into the reasons favoring both teams, offering insights into their strengths and potential outcomes for this Week 6 encounter.

Reasons to Support the Saints:

The Saints’ defense holds a prominent position in the NFL rankings and further solidified this standing with a commendable performance against the New England Patriots, resulting in a shutout victory. With the return of Marcus Maye from suspension, the Saints’ defense is expected to maintain its sharpness.

New Orleans Saints
Supporting The New Orleans Saints (Credits: New Orleans Saints)

Although Stroud poses a significant threat, the Saints’ secondary has demonstrated resilience against opposing passing attacks. Moreover, with quarterback Derek Carr back in excellent health, the Saints’ passing offense is poised to capitalize on the Texans’ secondary, which is currently dealing with injuries and lacks experience.

Additionally, the Texans’ run defense appears vulnerable, providing ample opportunities for star player Alvin Kamara to shine.

Reasons to Support the Texans:

While the Texans weren’t initially considered strong contenders this season, the outstanding performance of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has defied expectations. Stroud currently ranks third in the NFL for passing yards and has yet to throw a single interception.

His exceptional skills make him a frontrunner for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year title. Despite the absence of promising rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, Stroud has a variety of weapons at his disposal.

Houston Texans
Supporting The Houston Texans (Credits: Houston Texans )

Furthermore, the Texans’ defense, which struggled in the initial weeks, has displayed improvement, limiting opponents to no more than 21 points in their last three games. Their defense is anticipated to create significant pressure on the Saints’ somewhat unstable offensive line.

The Final Verdict:

This upcoming match is likely to be a closely contested battle, with the Saints’ recent victory over the Patriots possibly indicating more of the Patriots’ struggles rather than the Saints’ dominance.

The hungry Texans are expected to remain competitive throughout the game. However, the Saints hold a significant advantage in terms of experience, particularly on the defensive end. While Stroud might pose challenges, the likelihood of a turnover or two could tip the scales in favor of the Saints, securing their second consecutive road victory.

Betting enthusiasts might find the over a prudent choice, given the aggressive nature of the Texans’ passing attack, which will likely compel the Saints to maintain an aggressive stance throughout the game.