Marvin Harrison Jr. does not need a heavy workload to matter in his first game with the Houston Texans.
After arriving in Houston in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals, the former Buckeye gives C.J. Stroud a target he already knows well, but the expectation for his debut should stay measured. The connection between the two goes back to Ohio State, where they played together in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and built the kind of chemistry Houston is hoping can carry over.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime laid out what that first appearance could resemble, writing, "Harrison and QB C.J. Stroud will have an opportunity to re-create their fireworks from their college stint at Ohio State in 2021-22. Don't expect Harrison to play most of the offensive snaps, but there will be packages for him."
That makes sense for a midseason arrival. Harrison is still working through the playbook, the terminology and the timing that comes with jumping into a new offense in the middle of the year. Houston can bring him along without asking him to handle everything right away.
The Texans should be able to spot him in specific situations that fit his game. His size, ball skills and knack for contested catches give Stroud another downfield and red-zone option. Even a small number of targeted plays could make the debut feel meaningful.
His addition also changes the way defenses have to play Houston. With Harrison on the field, opponents have to account for his ability to win isolated matchups, which can open things up for the Texans’ other receivers. That kind of influence may not show up in the box score, especially if his snap count is limited, but it still matters.
The key will be how fast Harrison and Stroud find that old rhythm again. Their college success offers obvious reason for optimism, but Houston does not need to rush the process.
For Texans fans, Harrison’s first game is best viewed as a glimpse of what could come next. A limited role seems likely, but the reunion with Stroud alone makes it worth paying attention to. If the early results look good, his involvement can grow as he settles in.
In Other News...
Texans Have A Bigger Halftime Concern Than Their London Lead
The Texans reached halftime in London with a 17-14 edge over Jacksonville, and C.J. Stroud helped get them there by completing 66.6% of his passes and throwing two touchdown passes to Foster Moreau. Houston also got a boost from Henry To'oTo'o, who returned from injured reserve and contributed on defense, giving the club a few reasons to feel good about the way the first half unfolded.
The bigger concern, though, may be what happened on the back end. Safety Reed Blankenship struggled before leaving the game with an injury, and his status could matter as much as the scoreboard if Houston is going to protect its lead after the break. A narrow advantage is one thing, but losing a key defensive piece in a game that still feels very much up for grabs would be a far more pressing issue. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Special Teams Mistake Nearly Cost Them Before Halftime
Special teams often fade into the background until one decision changes the feel of a game, and the Texans were reminded of that in London. In a situation where eight seconds remained before halftime, the choice to put a kickoff into play against the Jaguars carried real risk because of how the clock, the timeouts and the field position could all work against a team in a hurry.
Cam Little also loomed as part of the calculation, with the potential for a long field goal attempt hanging over the end of the half. A single completed pass could have tied things up, which is exactly why the sequence stood out as the kind of special teams moment that can swing momentum without ever showing up in a conventional highlight reel. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Inactive List For London Includes One Surprise Fans Didn't Expect
The Texans Week 6 trip to London comes with a familiar kind of pregame churn, as both Houston and Jacksonville released their inactive lists ahead of the overseas matchup. Houston will be without seven players, including starters Jalen Pitre and David Montgomery, along with offensive tackle Braden Smith, who had just been activated but will not suit up for the game.
For a Texans team already managing injuries, the loss of Smith on top of those other absences adds another wrinkle to a week that has already been anything but routine. Jacksonville has its own issues to sort through, with starting left tackle Anton Harrison and cornerback Jaylon Jones among the Jaguars inactives, leaving both sides to adjust before kickoff in London. [Read more 🡒]