Will Anderson Jr. isn’t backing off the Myles Garrett conversation anytime soon.
The Houston Texans edge rusher spent part of the offseason training with Garrett ahead of the 2026 NFL season, and the two clearly left that workout with a little extra edge. Anderson had already discussed the session during training camp, but new footage gave the exchange a sharper tone.
Garrett pointed out that Anderson still has a ways to go before catching him. Anderson’s response was blunt.
“It was about this close this year. And I didn’t even hit my prime yet!
That’s the scary thing about it MG! I was right behind you this year.
And I didn’t even hit my prime yet!”
That was Anderson, in a clip shared by Houston Stressans on social media.
The comparison isn’t coming out of nowhere. Both players were central figures on defenses that ranked among the NFL’s best. Houston rode its defense to the playoffs in 2025, while Garrett’s former team, the Cleveland Browns, did not reach the postseason.
Still, the production gap at the quarterback-hunting spot remains real. Anderson put together a strong season with 12 sacks. Garrett, on the other hand, set the single-season sack record with 23 in 2025.
Houston would love nothing more than for Anderson to keep climbing toward that level. The Texans already have a defense that’s tough to handle, and their pass rush gives offenses problems. If Anderson ever gets close to Garrett’s output, that unit could become even more punishing for a long time.
In Other News...
Texans O Line Stability Just Took Another Worrying Hit In Camp
Houstons offensive line just took another hit in camp when right tackle Braden Smith went down with a plantar fascia foot injury during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers and had to be carted off the field. The timing is hardly ideal for a unit still trying to settle into a rhythm, especially with training camp already putting the Texans through the usual mix of reps, shuffling and evaluation.
Smith is expected to miss a couple of weeks, which opens the door for Trent Brown to handle the starting right tackle job in the meantime. Blake Fisher is there as a backup option, but for a Texans line that has been trying to build some much-needed stability, losing another key piece in August only adds to the pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Receiver Battle Is Suddenly Getting Harder To Ignore
The Texans got a different kind of summer test in Charlotte, where their joint practice with the Panthers came with the usual mix of pace, pressure and personnel evaluation. On offense, new wide receiver Kayshon Boutte worked through drills alongside the more established names in the room, giving the coaching staff another look at a position group that has become one of the more closely watched parts of camp.
Houstons defense brought its own edge to the session, with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter helping keep the Panthers under steady heat throughout practice. Even with the roster battles and on-field intensity grabbing most of the attention, the Texans also unveiled a new alternate uniform set to debut in Week 11, a nod to Houston culture that adds a little extra buzz to a season already full of moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Right Tackle Battle Just Took A Sudden Turn
The Texans offensive line picture got a little more complicated this week when right tackle Braden Smith went down with a plantar fascia injury during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers. The setback is expected to keep Smith out for a few weeks, and it comes at a time when Houston was still sorting out how the line would look heading toward the regular season.
Trent Brown now appears set to handle the starting job in Smiths place, giving the Texans a veteran option at one of the most important spots up front. It also opens a door for second-round pick Blake Fisher, whose playing time and roster security could grow while Smith is sidelined, adding another layer to a depth chart the Texans would much rather have stabilized by now. [Read more 🡒]