The Houston Texans enter Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys facing an urgent test after an 0-3 start, with injuries, offensive-line breakdowns and uneven defensive play threatening to turn early-season concern into a major hole in the AFC race.
Houston recovered from an 0-3 record during DeMeco Ryans’ 2025 season, winning 12 games and reaching the Divisional Round for a third consecutive year. The odds are historically daunting, however. Since 1990, 109 teams have opened 0-4, and only the 1992 San Diego Chargers reached the playoffs after doing so. San Diego won 11 of its final 12 games and captured the AFC West.
The Texans have yet to establish the physical, complementary style that has defined their best performances under Ryans. Their offense has put the team in difficult situations, leaving a talented defense unable to consistently play with leads or dictate game flow.
Texans injury report and availability
- Nico Collins, WR: Expected to return Sunday after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury.
- Jayden Higgins, WR: Out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in August.
- Houston offensive line: The unit has been affected by injuries, though no individual availability designations were provided.
Collins’ return would restore Houston’s top receiving threat at a critical time. With Higgins sidelined and Collins absent, quarterback C.J. Stroud has worked with reserve receivers and complementary options, allowing opponents to tighten coverage and devote less attention to Houston’s deep-ball potential.
Stroud also has been under constant pressure behind an offensive line that has not found a dependable combination despite offseason additions. The Texans signed tackle Braden Smith and guard Wyatt Teller, then used a first-round pick on Keylan Rutledge in the 2026 NFL Draft. The investments have not solved the front’s issues.
Houston ranks 30th in the league at 84.7 rushing yards per game. Texans running backs have been contacted at or behind the line on 52.5% of their attempts, a figure that has stalled the ground game and repeatedly put the offense behind schedule. David Montgomery is averaging 2.8 yards per carry, while Woody Marks is at 3.0.
The lack of a credible rushing attack has made the Texans increasingly one-dimensional. Stroud has taken 10 sacks while facing 43 total pressures, producing a 23.3% pressure-to-sack rate that ranks third highest in the NFL. Those negative plays have limited offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s ability to reach the fuller range of his call sheet.
Defense needs help beyond Anderson
Houston still has high-end defensive talent, led by edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre. But the group has not consistently delivered the momentum-changing plays needed to offset the offensive issues.
Anderson has been the exception. He leads the NFL with 17 pressures and eight pressures generated in under 2.5 seconds during 59 one-on-one pass-rush opportunities. He also leads the Texans with 20 overall pressures, nine quick pressures, four sacks and six quarterback hits.
Houston needs Hunter and the rest of the defense to provide more support, particularly in game-defining situations. The Texans’ secondary also must regain the ability to create turnovers and other pivotal plays that became a hallmark of Ryans’ earlier teams.
Edge rushers rise for unbeaten teams
Elsewhere, Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau and Minnesota’s Dallas Turner are emerging as central defensive pieces for two unbeaten 3-0 teams. Both former first-round selections have developed into disruptive pass rushers, giving the Bills and Vikings defenders around whom they can build pressure plans.
Week ahead
The Texans host the 1-2 Cowboys on Sunday at Reliant Stadium. Dallas brings enough offensive firepower to make the matchup especially consequential for a Houston team trying to avoid an 0-4 record.
Collins is set to return for the Texans, but Houston’s chances will hinge on whether the offensive line can create room for Montgomery and Marks while giving Stroud a cleaner pocket. The Jacksonville Jaguars appear positioned to defend their division crown, and competition from the AFC North and AFC West could make wild-card paths increasingly difficult if Houston cannot reverse its early slide.
