Braden Smith’s Return Could Be Just as Important as Marvin Harrison Jr. for Texans in London

The biggest Houston Texans headline this week belongs to Marvin Harrison Jr., and understandably so. But Wednesday brought another roster development that could be just as important to C.J. Stroud and Houston’s attempt to climb out of its 1-4 start: veteran offensive tackle Braden Smith is officially back.

The Houston Texans activated Smith from injured reserve Wednesday, Oct. 14, ahead of Sunday’s London matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston also signed quarterback Mark Gronowski and wide receiver Bryce Oliver to the practice squad. 

Smith, 30, is entering his ninth NFL season. The 6-foot-6, 312-pound tackle had his 21-day practice window opened last week alongside Tank Dell and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Houston has now determined Smith is ready for the active roster. 

That does not automatically mean he walks into London and plays every offensive snap. Houston has to determine where he fits within an offensive line that has already gone through its share of moving parts.

But having another experienced tackle available is a good problem.

The Texans have asked Stroud to carry plenty of responsibility through five games. He has responded with 1,402 passing yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions while Houston has struggled to establish consistent offensive rhythm. 

Keeping that quarterback upright should be priority No. 1.

Houston travels to Wembley Stadium to face Jacksonville at 8:30 a.m. Central on Sunday, Oct. 18. It will be the Texans’ third international game in franchise history and their second trip to London. 

The last London meeting between these franchises ended beautifully for Houston. The Texans defeated Jacksonville 26-3 at Wembley on Nov. 3, 2019. 

More recently, Houston split its 2025 season series with Jacksonville. The Texans lost 17-10 in the first meeting before erasing a 19-point deficit to win 36-29 in Week 10. That comeback sparked what became a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, including the postseason. 

That history does not guarantee anything Sunday. It does provide an interesting reminder of how quickly one divisional victory can change a season.

Jacksonville will also enter Sunday without starting left tackle Anton Harrison, who is expected to undergo knee surgery. Walker Little is expected to replace him. 

That creates an opportunity for Will Anderson Jr. and Houston’s pass rush after Anderson recorded three sacks against Tennessee.

On the other side, Smith’s activation gives Houston additional protection options against Jacksonville’s defense.

This could become a game decided in the trenches long before Harrison’s first reception becomes the social-media highlight everybody wants to see.

Everybody wants to see Stroud throw a deep ball to Harrison at Wembley. I do too.

But I am just as interested in seeing whether Houston can give Stroud a clean pocket long enough to throw it. That is why Smith’s activation matters.

The Texans do not need flashy additions without infrastructure around them. They need Harrison getting comfortable, Smith strengthening the offensive line, Anderson attacking Jacksonville’s backup left tackle and Stroud continuing to protect the football.

And if Smith helps Stroud stay comfortable while Harrison begins finding his place in this offense, the Texans might return from London looking a lot more dangerous than the team that started September 0-4.