Texans Ride Rookie Rusher, Manage Injuries in Sixth Straight Win
HOUSTON - The Texans are rolling, and even a few injury hiccups couldn’t slow them down Sunday in a convincing 40-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals. That’s six straight victories now for the defending AFC South champs, and they’re showing the kind of depth and resilience that playoff teams are built on.
Starting running back Woody Marks left the game early after tweaking an ankle - the latest in a string of minor injuries he’s been managing, including a knee issue from a few weeks back against the Chiefs. He limped off to the medical tent and didn’t return, but head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear afterward: Marks could’ve gone back in if needed.
“He got his ankle tweaked a little bit there early in the game,” Ryans said. “For where he was, felt like Jawhar and Dare were doing a good job, so wanted to keep rolling with those guys and make sure Woody is good as we continue to go into the week.”
Translation: no need to push a banged-up starter when the backups are cooking.
And cooking they were. Enter Jawhar Jordan, elevated from the practice squad and making his NFL debut - and what a debut it was.
The rookie looked explosive and confident, racking up 101 yards on just 15 carries, including a 50-yard burst that turned heads. He ran with purpose, vision, and a burst that gave the offense a different gear.
Jordan's performance wasn’t just a feel-good story - it was a statement.
Dare Ogunbowale also contributed solid snaps, and together the backfield trio helped Houston rack up 143 rushing yards on 33 carries. Marks, before exiting, logged seven carries for 30 yards and made a heads-up play by recovering a botched snap in the end zone for a touchdown - a moment that showed his awareness even while playing through pain.
On the defensive side, All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. played through an oblique injury - one he’s dealt with earlier this season - and still logged 85% of the defensive snaps. There was no visible discomfort postgame, and he looked steady throughout, finishing with three tackles, including one for a loss.
Defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. saw limited action with a chest injury, playing just a third of the defensive snaps but still managing two tackles. Meanwhile, Pro Bowl edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. took an accidental poke to the eye and needed treatment after the game, but there’s no indication it’s anything serious.
Injuries are part of the grind, especially this deep into the season. But what we saw from the Texans on Sunday was a team that didn’t flinch - not when a key starter went down, not when the defense had to shuffle personnel. Instead, they leaned on depth, trusted their young talent, and kept their foot on the gas.
With six straight wins and a backfield that just got a little deeper, Houston is looking like a team that’s built for more than just a strong regular season.