H-Town finally got the Texans it expected in Week 9. Houston beat the Chargers 44-22 at SoFi Stadium behind five touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud and eight sacks, and the 3-5 Texans head to Cleveland on Sunday trying to string wins together.
Nick Caserio made his big move a month early, landing Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona on Oct. 11. The trade market is now closed, but free agency isn’t. Players released from here on are subject to waiver claims, while veterans who were already cut can sign anywhere today.
Najee Harris, running back
Line up the numbers and the run game is the soft spot. Houston averages 3.6 yards per carry as a team, according to ESPN, and Woody Marks has 341 yards on 95 carries. David Montgomery averaged 2.7 yards on 52 carries before a groin injury cost him three straight games.
DeMeco Ryans said Monday he’s hopeful Montgomery can return to practice this week or next, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, which still leaves the short-yardage work in Marks’ hands for now.
Harris ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in Pittsburgh, and at 245 pounds he gives Houston a power option. The Giants released him Oct. 20 after 31 carries for 99 yards in five games.
He also knows Sunday’s opponent, having faced the Browns twice a year with the Steelers. He’s a year removed from a torn Achilles, so the job would be short yardage and closing out games until Montgomery is back.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety
Reed Blankenship, who signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal this offseason, left the London win over Jacksonville with a concussion on Oct. 18. He was ruled out against the Chargers as well, with a hand injury added to the list.
Gardner-Johnson is 28 and was released by the Bills on Nov. 3 after six starts, 26 tackles and an interception. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe tied the move to inconsistent play. He also had six interceptions for Philadelphia in 2022, and a ball-hawking veteran is exactly the profile Houston would want behind its starters.
The rest of the secondary is in good shape. A defense that held Justin Herbert to 193 yards has its starting group in place. What it lacks is a proven backup who can play right away if Blankenship misses more time.
More on the Houston Texans
- Texans’ Nick Caserio Makes Bold Comparison for Browns Star Before Week 10
- C.J. Stroud Is a Trade Deadline Winner After Texans Gamble on Marvin Harrison Jr.
- C.J. Stroud Jumps to No. 2 in PFF QB Rankings With a League-Leading 7.1% Big-Time Throw Rate
- Jaylin Smith Injury Update: Texans CB Expected to Begin Practice Ahead of Week 10
