The Texans may have to keep adjusting on the back end of their defense as Week 7 approaches.
Houston was already shorthanded in its Week 6 matchup with Jacksonville, playing without running back David Montgomery because of a groin injury he picked up in Week 5. The secondary took a hit too, with versatile nickel/safety Jalen Pitre out after suffering a shoulder injury in that same game.
Now there’s another concern. DeMeco Ryans said in his Monday press conference that safety Reed Blankenship is in the concussion protocol after leaving midway through Houston’s Week 6 game against the Jaguars in London.
There was at least some positive news on Azeez Al-Shaair. The Pro Bowl linebacker exited with a groin injury but returned, and Ryans described him as "fine" heading into Week 7.
Blankenship’s status matters because Houston brought him in to be a weekly starter on the back end, and he has remained in that role since the season began. His production has been uneven at times, but he has still put together 45 tackles, three passes defended, one tackle for loss and one interception across six games.
If Blankenship can’t go, the Texans would have to shuffle again in the secondary after already doing so without Pitre last weekend. A concussion protocol absence can often lead to at least one missed game, so his situation will be one to watch at practice throughout the week.
The most likely replacement would be veteran safety M.J. Stewart next to Calen Bullock. Stewart is back to full health after missing the first four games with a quad injury and has appeared in Houston’s last two games, recording three total tackles.
Before the injury, Stewart had been a regular starter for the Texans in 2025. He played in nine games and started four, finishing with 25 tackles and two passes defended before a season-ending quad injury cut his year short.
Houston should have a clearer picture as kickoff against the Giants gets closer. For now, though, the Texans could be looking at another week without Blankenship and Pitre in the secondary.
In Other News...
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Thats what makes the next stretch so interesting for Houston. The front office is not just watching the standings now, it is also weighing whether to add help before the trade deadline while keeping an eye on looming contract talks for Stroud. The winning streak has bought the Texans some breathing room, but it has also raised the stakes on every decision from here on out. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Face A Real Test As Stroud Tries To Keep Rolling
The Texans come home for Week 7 carrying some momentum after back-to-back road wins, and C.J. Stroud has been a big reason for that push. He has been one of the leagues most productive passers this season, ranking second in passing yards, and Houston suddenly has the look of a team that can win in a variety of ways if its offense keeps humming.
New York is about to provide a very different kind of test. The Giants have been stout against the pass, sitting fifth in the NFL in limiting passing yards, which makes this a useful measuring stick for Stroud and a Houston passing game that has been rolling but not yet fully settled against elite resistance. The betting market reflects that skepticism, with the Giants drawing the spread and the total pointing toward a higher-scoring game. [Read more 🡒]
C.J. Stroud Is Making The Texans Pay For Waiting
C.J. Strouds steady climb has kept the Texans in a familiar spot: wanting more time with their franchise quarterback, while also knowing every big game only makes the price go up. He turned in another strong performance against the Jaguars in London, finishing with 306 yards and three touchdowns while guiding the kind of late drive Houston wants to build around.
Houston still has not locked in a long-term extension, and Strouds decision to pass on an offer ahead of the 2026 season has only sharpened the stakes. The more he keeps playing at this level, the more leverage he gains, and the Texans will have to weigh his consistency and postseason rsum against the cost of keeping him in place for years to come. [Read more 🡒]