The Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys enter Week 4 from very different spots in the standings. Houston is 0-3, while Dallas is 1-2. The Texans are in fact searching for their first win, while the Cowboys are trying to get back to .500 after a disappointing Week 3 loss.
Injuries have been a major part of the story for both teams. Houston will be without linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and safety M.J. Stewart, while Jadeveon Clowney, Logan Hall, Jake Hansen and Ed Ingram are questionable. Dallas will miss Cobie Durant and DeMarvion Overshown.
Houston gets a major boost with Nico Collins back after missing two games. The latest unofficial depth chart, released September 29, shows how the Texans are structured across offense and defense. Some positions may change on game day because of the latest injury designations.
Texans Offense Starting Lineup and Depth
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Quarterbacks: C.J. Stroud (Starter), Davis Mills, Graham Mertz
Running Backs: David Montgomery (Starter), Woody Marks, British Brooks, dare Ogunwale
Wide Receivers: Nico Collins (Starter), Jared Wayne (Starter), Kayshon Boutte (Starter), Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson
Offensive line: Aireontae Ersery (Starter), Nate Thomas, Keylan Rutledge (Starter), Evan Brown (Starter), Ed Engram, Trent Brown (Starter), Wyatt Teller, Jake Andrews, Febechi Nwaiwu (Starter), Blake Fisher.
Tight Ends: Marlin Klein (Starter), Dalton Schultz, Foster Moreau, Cade Stover, Brevin Jordan.
At left guard, Keylan Rutledge is listed ahead of Wyatt Teller. Trent Brown remains the starting right tackle, with Blake Fisher behind him.
Houston’s offensive line has been under pressure early this season. The Texans managed only 130 rushing yards over their previous two games while Ingram and Collins were both sidelined, making Ingram’s status and Collins’ return particularly important for the Cowboys matchup.
Texans Defense Starting Lineup and Depth
Defensive line: Will Anderson Jr. (Starter), Dominique Robinson, Sebastian Harsh, Tommy Togiai (Starter), Logan Hall, Jaden Crumedy, Sheldon Rankins (Starter), Mario Edwards Jr., Danielle Hunter (Starter), Jadeveon Clowney.
Linebackers: Azeez Al-Shaair, Wade Woodaz (Starter), Jamal Hill, Jake Hansen, Aiden Fisher (Starter)
Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr., Jaylin Smith, Collin Wright (Starter), Kamari Lassiter, Tremon Smith
Nickel: Jalen Pitre
Safeties: Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship, Kamari Ramsey (Starter)
M.J. Stewart is out with a knee injury, so Houston will have to work around that absence in the secondary. Bullock practiced fully Friday and has no game designation, which gives the Texans some stability at safety.
Wade Woodaz could see an increased role, while Jake Hansen is another important option. Hansen is officially questionable but practiced fully Friday. If Hansen is cleared, Houston will have more flexibility at linebacker. That matters against a Dallas offense averaging 29.3 points per game through three weeks.
