Texans’ Final Injury Report Creates Major Questions Ahead of London Battle With Jaguars

The Houston Texans finally got that first win of the season, but now comes the hard part, proving that the 26-3 beatdown of the Tennessee Titans was the beginning of a turnaround and not just one good Sunday.

Houston travels across the pond to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Wembley Stadium, and Friday’s final injury report makes an already important AFC South matchup even more interesting.

The Texans enter London at 1-4 while Jacksonville sits atop the division at 4-1. Houston has officially ruled out running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Tank Dell and safety Jalen Pitre. Henry To’oTo’o and Ja’Marcus Ingram are questionable.

That is not exactly the injury report you want when trying to chase down the division leader.

Still, I don’t think Houston should walk into Wembley feeling sorry for itself. There are enough healthy playmakers on this roster to make this a football game. The question is whether the Texans can compensate for the pieces they're missing.

The absence that immediately catches my attention offensively is Montgomery.

Montgomery is dealing with a groin injury and did not make the trip to London. His absence should put more responsibility on Woody Marks, who now has an opportunity to take command of Houston's backfield. This could become one of the biggest factors in the game.

The Texans cannot afford to become one-dimensional against Jacksonville. Jaguars pass rush can wreck an offensive game plan if Houston allows them to simply pin their ears back and chase C.J. Stroud all afternoon. Houston's own preview noted how dangerous that Jacksonville pass-rushing combination can be.

That means Marks doesn't simply need carries. He needs productive carries.

If Houston can establish the run, stay ahead of the chains and create manageable third downs, offensive coordinator Nick Caley can keep Jacksonville guessing.

If the Texans abandon the run early? Stroud could be spending a long afternoon trying to escape pressure at Wembley.

The injury that concerns me the most, however, is Jalen Pitre.

Pitre will miss the game because of his shoulder injury, removing one of Houston's most versatile defensive backs from the lineup. Rookie Kamari Ramsey is expected to help replace Pitre in the nickel role after filling in against Tennessee.

This is where DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke will earn their money.

Pitre brings physicality, versatility and experience to the secondary. He's the type of defender Houston can move around depending on what the offense shows.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence will surely test whoever replaces him. That doesn't mean Houston's defense suddenly falls apart without Pitre. Not even close.

The Texans still have the weapon that could completely change this game: their defensive front.

Friday's report wasn't completely negative.

Azeez Al-Shaair returned to full participation after dealing with a groin issue, while Trent Brown was also a full participant. Jadeveon Clowney didn't practice Friday while managing his knee and rest, but he carries no game designation, meaning he's expected to be available.

Those are important developments.

Houston needs its defensive front and linebackers available because this game could turn into a physical AFC South fight despite being played thousands of miles away from Texas and Florida.

This injury report definitely makes Houston's job more difficult.

Losing Montgomery hurts the running back rotation. Losing Pitre takes away an important chess piece on defense. Dell still isn't ready to return. And there remains some uncertainty surrounding To’oTo’o and Ingram heading into Sunday.

But I'm not ready to use injuries as an excuse. Not against a division rival. This game comes down to Houston protecting Stroud, getting Marks involved early, feeding Collins and allowing Anderson and Hunter to make Trevor Lawrence miserable.

At 1-4, the Texans don't have much room left for moral victories. Jacksonville is 4-1 and sitting on top of the AFC South.

Sunday isn't just another international showcase. For Houston, this is an opportunity to turn one win into momentum.

Beat Jacksonville in London, move to 2-4 and suddenly that ugly start doesn't look quite as hopeless. But if they lose, fall to 1-5 and prepare to put the 2026 season in the rearview.