The Tank Dell news Houston wanted finally arrived Wednesday. The bigger question now is whether the Texans can get through Sunday without the rest of the injury report dragging them back.
Dell was a full participant in the Texans’ first official Week 7 practice and is on track to make his long-awaited return against the New York Giants. Houston has already designated him for return from injured reserve, and the team has been building his workload up little by little over the past several weeks.
But the good vibes around Dell came with a harsh reminder: the roster is still beaten up. Seven Texans were out of practice Wednesday with injuries - Azeez Al-Shaair, Reed Blankenship, Trent Brown, Blake Fisher, David Montgomery, Jalen Pitre and Dalton Schultz.
The secondary is the area that jumps off the page first. Pitre sat out with a shoulder issue, while Blankenship did not practice because of concussion and hand problems. Houston handled life without Pitre in its 34-31 win over Jacksonville, but if multiple safeties are unavailable, that depth is going to get tested again.
That’s where the young group may need to carry more weight. Calen Bullock already showed up in London with his first interception of the season, and Kamari Lassiter led the Texans with eight tackles while also breaking up a pass.
And there’s a new wrinkle waiting on the other side. New York coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that J.J. McCarthy will start against Houston, which puts even more pressure on the Texans’ pass rush to make life uncomfortable for him early.
Up front, the offensive line is another spot Houston has to watch closely. Brown and Fisher both missed Wednesday’s session, with Brown dealing with a wrist injury and Fisher working through a thumb injury. Brown was a full participant on Thursday.
That matters because C.J. Stroud finally looks like he’s finding his groove. In London, he threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, completing 24 of 34 passes and hitting 10 different receivers as Houston piled up 426 total yards.
With Dell back, Jaylin Noel coming off a 107-yard outing and the Texans’ passing game starting to produce explosive plays, the line has to give Stroud time to work. Especially with a bye week sitting right after this game, the Texans can’t afford to let protection issues creep back in now.
Houston is 2-4 and has won two straight, and Sunday gives it a chance to keep that climb going. Beat New York, and the Texans head into Week 8 at 3-4 with real momentum.
Dell’s return is the headline. The injury list is the warning label.
Houston has spent enough time just trying to survive. Now it has to prove this run is becoming something more.
In Other News...
Texans Defense Could Get A Huge Week 7 Boost
Azeez Al-Shaairs return to practice is a welcome sign for a Texans defense that has needed every bit of stability it can get through a 2-4 start. After dealing with a minor knee injury, the linebacker has moved into limited work, which at least puts him in position to be available when Houston hosts the Giants on Oct. 25.
For a defense that has leaned on him heavily, his presence would matter right away. Al-Shaair has been one of Houstons most active players through the first five games, piling up 49 tackles and two pass deflections, and the Texans would love to have that kind of production and leadership back in the middle of the unit for a game they badly need to control. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A Trade Deadline Decision Fans Didn't Expect
Houston has already been active on the trade front this season, bringing in Kayshon Boutte and Marvin Harrison Jr. as injuries and roster needs pushed the front office to keep adjusting on the fly. Even with those additions, the Texans still find themselves in a familiar spot for a contending team: a deep wide receiver room, a tight roster picture and a deadline approaching fast enough to force some uncomfortable conversations.
With several players on expiring contracts, the next move may not be about adding help so much as protecting future value before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Xavier Hutchinson and Boutte are the names most likely to come up if Houston decides to turn a crowded position into draft capital and more flexibility for the offseason, even if any such discussion remains firmly in the speculative stage for now. [Read more 🡒]
Marvin Harrison Jr. Could Be Headed For A Bigger Texans Role
Marvin Harrison Jr. has already started to settle into the Texans offense, giving C.J. Stroud another reliable presence as Houston looks to keep its momentum rolling. The early returns have been encouraging, with Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans both pointing to Harrisons intelligence and his ability to adapt quickly as reasons he has fit in so smoothly.
Now the next step is about volume and assertiveness, because Harrison has said he plans to be more aggressive in the games ahead. That will be worth watching as Houston tries to extend its winning streak against the New York Giants, a matchup that should offer another chance to see how much bigger his role can become in this offense. [Read more 🡒]