The Houston Texans are rolling-and not just squeaking by. Winners of six straight, they’re not just finding ways to win; they’re imposing their will on both sides of the ball.
Their latest statement came in a 40-20 dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals, a game that showed off just how dangerous this team can be when it’s clicking. But while the scoreboard was lopsided in Houston’s favor, the injury report coming out of the game raised a few eyebrows.
Three key contributors-cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., running back Woody Marks, and veteran Nick Chubb-were all banged up during Sunday’s win. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans are listing all three as “day to day” heading into a pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Let’s start with Woody Marks. The rookie running back has shown flashes this season, and Sunday was shaping up to be another opportunity for him to build momentum.
But an early ankle tweak sent him to the sideline, and he didn’t return. According to Ryans, Marks could’ve re-entered the game if needed, but with Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale holding down the backfield, there was no reason to risk it.
That’s a vote of confidence not just in the depth chart, but in the long-term value of keeping Marks healthy.
Jordan, by the way, made the most of his opportunity. The undrafted rookie stepped in and delivered a breakout performance, rushing for 101 yards on 15 carries in his NFL debut. That kind of production from a fresh face says a lot about the Texans’ ability to plug and play in their system-and it gives Ryans more flexibility heading into the stretch run.
Then there’s Nick Chubb. The veteran back didn’t suit up against Arizona due to a rib injury, but there’s optimism that his absence won’t be a long one.
The Texans have been cautious with Chubb since his arrival, and with the playoffs in sight, they’re clearly playing the long game. Expect his status to be monitored closely this week, but all signs point to a return sooner rather than later.
On the defensive side, the Texans dodged what could’ve been a major blow. Derek Stingley Jr., the All-Pro corner who’s been a cornerstone of the Texans’ surging defense, exited late in the second half with an oblique injury.
He still managed to notch three tackles, including one for a loss, before being replaced by Tremon Smith. The good news?
Early indications suggest it’s not a serious issue. That’s huge, considering how critical Stingley has been in locking down opposing receivers during this win streak.
Houston’s defense has been the engine of this run, and Stingley’s presence on the back end is a big part of that. His ability to take away half the field gives Ryans the freedom to get creative with pressure packages and coverage schemes. Losing him for any significant time would be a blow, but for now, the team appears to have avoided that worst-case scenario.
So while the Texans are riding high, they’re also walking that fine line between momentum and attrition. The injuries to Marks, Chubb, and Stingley are worth watching, but none appear to be season-altering at this stage. And if the depth they showed on Sunday is any indication, this team is built to weather a few bumps in the road.
Week 16 against the Raiders looms large-not just for playoff positioning, but as another test of this team’s resilience. If Houston keeps playing the way it has been, and if the injury luck holds, the rest of the AFC might want to start paying a little closer attention. The Texans are for real-and they’re not slowing down.