The Texans head into Wembley Stadium with plenty of company on the injury report and a narrow margin for error.
Houston will try to build on last week’s 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans when it faces the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 18, in London, but Friday’s final injury report added another layer to an already tricky AFC South matchup. The Texans are 1-4, while Jacksonville arrives at 4-1 and sitting atop the division.
Houston officially ruled out running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Tank Dell and safety Jalen Pitre. Henry To’oTo’o and Ja’Marcus Ingram are questionable.
Montgomery’s absence is a particularly big one on offense. He is dealing with a groin injury and did not travel to London, which leaves Woody Marks with a far bigger workload in the backfield.
For Houston, that likely means the run game has to do more than just exist. It has to matter.
The Texans cannot afford to let Jacksonville dictate the game by turning C.J. Stroud into a constant target.
The Jaguars’ pass rush can wreck an offense if Houston gets forced into obvious passing situations, so Marks’ job is bigger than simple volume. He needs productive touches, and the Texans need enough balance to stay ahead of the chains.
If Houston gets away from the run too soon, Stroud could spend a long afternoon under pressure at Wembley.
The defensive side brings its own headache, and it starts with Pitre. His shoulder injury will keep him out, removing one of Houston’s most versatile pieces in the secondary. Rookie Kamari Ramsey is expected to help fill the nickel role after doing so against Tennessee.
That puts extra pressure on DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke to adjust on the fly. Pitre gives Houston physicality, flexibility and experience in the back end, and Trevor Lawrence will likely look to challenge the replacement plan early and often.
Still, the Texans are not walking into this game without answers. Their defensive front remains the kind of group that can swing a matchup fast, even with the secondary thinned out behind it.
There was some positive news in Friday’s report, too. Azeez Al-Shaair returned to full participation after dealing with a groin issue, and Trent Brown was also a full participant. Jadeveon Clowney did not practice Friday while managing his knee and rest, but he carries no game designation, so he is expected to be available.
That matters in a game that could get physical despite the long flight and the London setting. Houston needs its front seven available, especially with key pieces missing elsewhere.
The injury losses are real. Montgomery is out.
Dell is still unavailable. Pitre is gone for Sunday.
To’oTo’o and Ingram remain uncertain.
But the Texans still have enough pieces to make this a game, and the formula is clear: protect Stroud, get Marks going early, feed Collins and let Anderson and Hunter go after Lawrence.
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