The Houston Texans are heading into 2026 with one of the loudest defensive endorsements in the league: this group is being viewed as good enough to stay among the NFL’s best even if injuries start to pile up.
That’s a strong read, but it matches the way DeMeco Ryans’ defense has been talked about over the past year. Houston’s unit didn’t just look the part - it helped drive a nine-game winning streak and push the Texans into the postseason. The run included a blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before the team fell to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport took that praise a step further, laying out a ceiling and floor that both keep Houston near the top of the league.
"Best Case: In terms of both points and yards allowed last year, the Texans were the best defense in the NFL in 2025-and that defense is largely intact this year. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter on the edge.
Azeez Al-Shaair at linebacker. Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre in the defensive backfield.
This defense is as loaded and balanced as any in the game. Provided they can avoid major injuries, the Texans are going to be hard to move the ball on once more.
Worst Case: Frankly, a rash of injuries appears to be about the only thing that could derail the Texans defense this year. Houston just doesn't have a glaring weak spot at any level defensively.
In fact, the team could probably weather an injury or two and still be a Top 10 unit. But say the loss of Anderson or Stingley for a prolonged period of time would be a major blow for a team with hopes of a deep playoff run."
The idea that Houston could still finish as a Top 10 defense while absorbing a couple of injuries is a bold one, especially with questions floating around about depth at edge and linebacker. Even so, the starters give the Texans a strong case: they’re loaded on the defensive line, solid at linebacker and dangerous in the secondary.
There aren’t many obvious cracks in the starting lineup, which is exactly why the expectations are so high. Houston enters 2026 with something to prove, and the Texans will want to make that point quickly with a strong start in Week 1.
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That pressure is especially real in the pass-catching group and along the line, where performance and availability will shape what comes next. Houston has reasons to be optimistic about its depth, but that same depth is what can turn a productive season into a crowded negotiation, with every snap carrying a little more weight for players trying to avoid becoming the odd man out. [Read more 🡒]