Heading into a pivotal late-season matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Houston Texans are tightening the screws on roster depth, especially in the trenches. With the playoffs within reach and momentum building, head coach DeMeco Ryans and the front office are making calculated moves to keep this team sharp - and healthy - for the stretch run.
Let’s start with the latest roster tweak: the Texans have signed defensive tackle Marcus Harris to the practice squad. It’s a subtle move on paper, but it speaks to Houston’s intent to bolster depth on the defensive front, where physicality and rotation are critical down the stretch.
But the real spotlight is on the edge. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have been absolute game-wreckers this season - the kind of edge duo that gives offensive coordinators sleepless nights. Anderson’s blend of speed and power off the edge has made him a nightmare for tackles, while Hunter continues to show why he’s one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league.
That said, depth at edge rusher becomes even more important when one of your stars is banged up. Anderson has been managing chest and shoulder issues in recent weeks, and while he’s still producing, the Texans know better than to gamble with the health of a cornerstone player this late in the season.
Enter Darrell Taylor.
The veteran pass rusher has been designated to return from injured reserve and is back on the practice field after missing six weeks. His last game action came in Week 9 against the Broncos, before an injury sidelined him ahead of the Texans’ Week 10 clash with Jacksonville.
Before the injury, Taylor saw action in four games, tallying three combined tackles. While he didn’t register a sack, his presence added depth and rotational flexibility to a unit that thrives on fresh legs and relentless pressure.
Taylor didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he returned as a full participant on Thursday - a strong sign that he’s trending toward game-day availability. If he logs enough practice reps, he could be activated for Sunday’s game, giving the Texans another option off the edge.
This is where strategy comes into play for Ryans. The Raiders come into this game at 2-12 - a team clearly in transition and struggling to find footing.
If the Texans can build an early lead, Ryans may opt to rotate his starters out and give players like Taylor meaningful snaps in live action. That would serve two purposes: protect your stars and get your depth pieces up to game speed before the playoffs.
It’s a smart, forward-thinking approach - one that shows Ryans isn’t just coaching for the next game, but for January football. With a playoff berth within reach, every snap, every rotation, and every roster move matters. And the Texans are treating it that way.