The Texans have ruled S Jalen Pitre (bruised lung) and S Jimmie Ward (hip) out for Sunday's game against the Colts. That leaves Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart as the starters. Both carry some mild IDP intrigue. Indy supplied 15 total tackles to Jacksonville's starting safeties in Week 1.
Texans S Jalen Pitre left Sunday's game against the Ravens with a chest injury and was quickly ruled out. We'll see about the official diagnosis. M.J. Stewart entered the game in Pitre's place in a secondary already missing S Jimmie Ward (hip).
Update: Pitre went to the hospital with a bruised lung after taking a knee from Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Pitre "should be OK." We'll see how much time he's expected to miss.
Texans LB Christian Kirksey has missed several recent days with a hamstring injury, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Rookie Henry To'oTo'o has reportedly filled in for Kirksey in the starting lineup. The team interestingly listed Denzel Perryman and Blake Cashman as starting LBs alongside Christian Harris on the initial "unofficial" depth chart. That could mean nothing, of course. And Wilson reports that Kirksey is expected to reclaim his post when ready. We consider Harris to be the only lineup lock at this point. Harris sits highest among the group in our IDP rankings.
The Texans chose Edge Will Anderson Jr. with the third pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They gave up quite a bit to get to that spot, including a 2024 first-rounder. So they clearly wanted the former Alabama pass rusher. Anderson became an immediate starter at Alabama, tallying 10.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks as a true freshman. He then exploded for 31.0 TFLs and 17.5 sacks as a sophomore, winning his first of two SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Anderson is the first player to ever win that award in consecutive seasons. Anderson currently leads our IDP rookie rankings and will likely stay there.
The Browns are agreed to a three-year deal with former Texans EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The pact could be worth as much as $22 million. A fifth-round pick of the Rams back in 2018, Okoronkwo finally got the first eight starts of his career last year in Houston. He supplied 5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss and 11 QB hits while playing 44% of the snaps. Cleveland clearly believes there's more coming in Okoronkwo's age-28 season (and beyond). The money indicates he's expected to start opposite EDGE Myles Garrett, which can't hurt. Still Okoronkwo sports just a 45th-percentile speed score for the position and might have a limited playing-time ceiling because of his size (just 253 pounds). He's a potential late-round IDP option for 2023 fantasy football drafts. But we're not overly excited about his upside.
The Texans are hiring Demeco Ryans as HC, according to multiple reports. This has been assumed for at least a few days now, and it makes loads of sense for Houston. Ryans was a team leader across 6 years as MLB with the Texans, before finishing his playing career with 4 seasons in Philadelphia. He spent the past 6 years on San Francisco's coaching staff, including the past 2 as DC. Ryans piloted a 49ers defense that ranked 3rd and 1st in yards allowed the past 2 seasons; 9th and 1st in points allowed. He inherits a Texans roster that needs plenty of work. But Houston does hold 5 picks among the 1st 3 rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, including the #2 and #12 overall selections. Expect the Texans to select their next QB in Round 1, with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis all in the current early-Round 1 discussion. The 49ers defense, meanwhile, should be fine. San Francisco ranked 6th and 2nd in Football Outsiders' defensive DVOA the 2 years before Ryans took the helm.
The Texans announced Sunday night that they are firing HC Lovie Smith. It's not a surprising move, as Houston just finished a 3-13-1 campaign. Smith seemed like an uninspired choice last offseason, being elevated from the DC position after 1 year of David Culley as HC. But he had little chance at success with a bad roster and weak QB situation. We'll see where Houston turns next, but it's tough to expect an especially attractive candidate to choose these Texans.
Texans CB Steven Nelson (foot, knee) is active for today's game against the Titans. He remains a low-level IDP option.
The Texans have ruled CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
The Texans on Wednesday designated EDGE Jonathan Greenard (calf) to return from IR. It was his 1st practice since he suffered a calf tear nearly 2 months ago. HC Lovie Smith said he didn't know how soon Greenard would be ready for game action but told the team website, "We'll find a way to get him into the mix once he's ready to go." We wouldn't be surprised to see a limited role initially for Greenard. He's worth keeping an eye on for deeper IDP formats but doesn't pop as a "must" add on waiver wires.
The Texans have ruled CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Texans rookie LB Christian Harris left today's game against the Dolphins with a shoulder injury and has been ruled out. We'll see about his official diagnosis and return timeline.
Texans LB Christian Harris (thigh) is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Eagles. The rookie finished the short practice week with a full workout Wednesday, which would seem to point to him being active for the game. We'll check his status Thursday evening, though. CB Desmond King (knee) is also questionable. He followed the same limited-limited-full practice progression as Harris.
Texans EDGE Rasheem Green (knee) is active for today's game against the Titans.
Texans DL Rasheem Green (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans. He popped up on the injury report Friday after a limited practice. We'll check his status Sunday.
The Texans have placed EDGE Jonathan Greenard on IR with the calf injury he suffered in practice this week. He had already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders. This means he'll miss at least the following 3 games as well. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Greenard is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. His absence should mean more playing time for veteran Mario Addison; perhaps starter Rasheem Green as well. Green's weekly snap shares have gone: 54%, 57%, 53% and 61%.
The Texans have ruled EDGE Jonathan Greenard (calf) out for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
HC Lovie Smith spoke highly of rookie S Jalen Pitre after Thursday night's preseason-closing win over the 49ers: “What we notice, is when you’re making a whole lot of big flash plays. Jalen has been consistent throughout. He’s a smart player. He’s been like a sponge as far as learning. But he’s going to be around the ball. That’s what we’ve seen since OTAs. I’m excited about going forward with him and him lining up for us when Indy comes into town.” Pitre brings the versatility to fill varied roles in the Houston defense, which could include plenty of snaps in the box. He's an upside pick late in deep-ish IDP drafts.
The Texans selected DB Jalen Pitre in the 2nd round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pitre opened his Baylor career as a LB and continued to make his greatest contributions near the line of scrimmage. He racked up a ridiculous 29.5 tackles for loss (including 6 sacks) over the past 2 seasons while playing safety and slot corner, adding 4 INTs and 9 passes defensed. At just 5’11 and with near-average speed for the position, Pitre projects as primarily a box safety in the pros. Going to Houston in Round 2 should give him a good shot at starting right away.
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