Texans Backfield Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Fans Cant Ignore

The Texans face a significant challenge in their rushing attack as Jawhar Jordan's latest injury sidelines him after a standout performance, adding to the team's ongoing depth concerns.

The Texans are once again dealing with the frustration that comes with Jawhar Jordan’s injury history, and this latest setback arrives right after one of his best moments in a Houston uniform.

"Every time something happens good for Jawhar Jordan he gets injured," posted multi-faceted Houston Texans analyst Landry Locker on his official X account at exactly 12:21 p.m., as the team announced that the former Louisville rusher has been placed on the practice squad injured list with an undisclosed ailment.

Jordan had just given Houston a jolt in the win over Jacksonville in London, breaking loose for a third-quarter 25-yard touchdown run that helped seal the Texans’ eventual walk-off 34-31 victory against the Jaguars. His outing produced 43 yards and a touchdown, a timely burst that looked like it could open the door to more chances in the backfield.

Instead, the Texans are back to reshuffling.

This is now at least the third time in recent memory that Houston has had to navigate around Jordan’s body giving out at the wrong moment. Even before the season began, his hold on the RB3 spot was shaken when a hip flexor injury surfaced during ramp-up work ahead of opening day.

Now the Texans have to move forward without him again.

There isn’t much of a mystery about the next step: Houston will have to make do with the backs still available. Woody Marks was already functioning as the team’s lead runner after David Montgomery suffered a groin injury in Week five against the Tennessee Titans.

That leaves Dare Ogunbowale, who is back in the mix, along with Deuce Vaughn on the practice squad, to fill out the room.

It’s a thin group, and the lack of proven depth makes the situation tricky. If Marks were to miss any time, Houston would be in a particularly tough spot at running back.

The bigger picture isn’t much kinder to the Texans, either. Injuries have already piled up through the first six games of the season, and this latest one adds another complication.

For now, the best Houston can do is adjust and try to keep the ground game steady. The passing attack has been sharp enough lately to help keep defenses from selling out against the run, and that may be the Texans’ best tool for keeping things afloat until the backfield settles again.

In Other News...

Texans Defense Could Get A Huge Week 7 Boost

Azeez Al-Shaairs return to practice is a welcome sign for a Texans defense that has needed every bit of stability it can get through a 2-4 start. After dealing with a minor knee injury, the linebacker has moved into limited work, which at least puts him in position to be available when Houston hosts the Giants on Oct. 25.

For a defense that has leaned on him heavily, his presence would matter right away. Al-Shaair has been one of Houstons most active players through the first five games, piling up 49 tackles and two pass deflections, and the Texans would love to have that kind of production and leadership back in the middle of the unit for a game they badly need to control. [Read more 🡒]

Texans Suddenly Have A Trade Deadline Decision Fans Didn't Expect

Houston has already been active on the trade front this season, bringing in Kayshon Boutte and Marvin Harrison Jr. as injuries and roster needs pushed the front office to keep adjusting on the fly. Even with those additions, the Texans still find themselves in a familiar spot for a contending team: a deep wide receiver room, a tight roster picture and a deadline approaching fast enough to force some uncomfortable conversations.

With several players on expiring contracts, the next move may not be about adding help so much as protecting future value before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Xavier Hutchinson and Boutte are the names most likely to come up if Houston decides to turn a crowded position into draft capital and more flexibility for the offseason, even if any such discussion remains firmly in the speculative stage for now. [Read more 🡒]

Texans Suddenly Have One Big Concern Despite Tank Dells Return

Tank Dell is back to full participation in practice, giving Houston at least one encouraging sign as it turns toward its matchup with the Giants. His return should help stabilize an offense that has been waiting for more juice from its receiving group, but the bigger picture around the Texans still looks unsettled as the week unfolds.

Seven Texans did not practice because of injuries, and the most troubling absences came in the secondary with Azeez Al-Shaair, Reed Blankenship and Jalen Pitre among those sidelined. Houston is also dealing with issues up front, with Trent Brown and Blake Fisher missing practice, so even with New York confirming J.J. McCarthy as its starter, the Texans are suddenly managing far more than one comeback story. [Read more 🡒]