The Houston Texans were overseas for the first time since the 2019 season, and once again faced their AFC South rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars, in London. The Texans won this time as well by a score of 34-31, thanks to a game-winning field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn and a well-played game from quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The Texans improve to 2-4 and desperately needed this win, while the Jaguars are still at the top of the division with a 4-2 record. This was a big challenge that Houston overcame against a Jacksonville team that was playing well through the first five games.
The Jaguars played last week in London and were used to the conditions, while the Texans had a flight delay and arrived later than anticipated. The Texans faced an uphill battle, especially with the injuries leading up to the game, but found a way in a good performance.
Key Texans Injuries Don’t Stop Houston in Big Win vs Jaguars in London
The Texans had three players out for Week 6 in London in hybrid safety Jalen Pitre, wide receiver Tank Dell, and starting running back David Montgomery.
Pitre was a big loss for this defense, while the Texans’ already struggling running game took another big hit with no Montgomery. The Texans just opened Dell’s 21-day practice window last week, and he got multiple logs of full participation this week for the first time this season.
It seemed like Dell might have returned last weekend, but Houston remained cautious and kept him out of the big London trip. It’s understandable given the scale of his devastating leg injury at the end of 2024. He was full practice on both Wednesday and Thursday and didn’t even get on the plane, which is why he was a DNP for Friday. Pitre and Montgomery also didn’t make the trip across the pond as well, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Coach DeMeco Ryans revealed in Monday’s press conference that Dell will be activated off injured reserve and will play against the New York Giants in Week 7.
Texans Injury Updates Become Positive
There was a questionable designation given to linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. It was reported by Wilson that To’oTo’o was set to play and be activated for this game. It was a big add for the Texans defense that needs depth at linebacker.
Houston hasn’t looked the same on defense so far this year, and To’oTo’o has been out since Week 1 after he suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve. It was expected that the fourth-year linebacker would miss much more than four weeks, but that’s all the time he missed.
Dell missing another week was offset by the highly anticipated debut of receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals along with a 2027 seventh-round pick this week in exchange for a 2027 second-round and sixth-round pick. Coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed this week that Harrison Jr. will be under 60 snaps per Wilson. Harrison will also have a package of plays. He ultimately made three catches for 36 yards.
That’s a big add during the London week for a receiver who just joined the team. It was a cleaner injury report, but safety Reed Blankenship will get added after he suffered a concussion and will go through the protocol this week.
Woody Marks is now the starting running back for Houston, which isn’t really a new role for him. Marks had to handle most of the starting load last season. He had 15 carries for 56 yards and two receptions for 25 yards. Ultimately, he’s had more success than Montgomery this year with 58 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns for 3.5 yards per carry. Montgomery is at 2.7 yards per carry this year.
Additionally, running back Jawhar Jordan returned this week, and he had a great game with six carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. He could be a factor going forward.
The Last Word
The Texans have other options at running back to try and make it work, but it’s really the offensive line that needs to get better now that they’re healthy. Houston won this game primarily through quarterback C.J. Stroud’s arm and the weapons on the outside. Pitre is a huge miss in a secondary that has allowed big plays, but the linebackers look a lot better. Safety Calen Bullock had a big interception in the end zone off Trevor Lawrence. The Texans have an easier stretch coming up, and it will be important to see how the secondary looks injury-wise this week.
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Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – Reuters Connect