Texans Injury Report Puts Houston’s Pass-Rush Depth in Focus Against Browns

Four days after the Houston Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks, both of their star edge rushers landed on the injury report. Will Anderson Jr. was limited Thursday with an ankle injury, and Danielle Hunter was limited with a hamstring injury. Both were new additions to Houston’s Nov. 12 report ahead of Sunday’s game at Cleveland. The latest official update available Friday afternoon listed their Thursday participation. I’d use this week to make sure the next men up are ready for snaps that matter. 

Houston enters Week 10 with an NFL-leading 29 sacks. We saw what that front can do in the 44-22 win over the Chargers. What I want to see in Cleveland is whether the Texans can keep getting pressure when they have to spell Anderson or Hunter, especially if both are available but need breaks. A defense can look deep when the score gives everybody a chance to play. I learn more when the coaches trust the rotation on a drive that could swing the game. 

I’d mix the rotation in early, with an established rusher still on the field when possible. That gives a reserve a chance to work against a protection that still has to account for a proven threat on the other side. It also gives the coaches a look at which combinations can hold up against the run. If a group can handle first and second down, it has a better chance of earning a shot at the quarterback on third.

Cleveland announced Wednesday that Deshaun Watson will start. The Browns say he’s taken 33 sacks in eight games. They also just got a reminder of what tight end Harold Fannin Jr. can do after the catch when he scored a 39-yard touchdown in overtime against New Orleans. Fannin was limited Wednesday and Thursday with a groin injury. 

If Houston’s four-man rush is getting close, I’d give it time to work. Sending a fifth defender can speed up a throw, but it also leaves one fewer player to close on the receiver. That trade-off gets more interesting with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair missing both Wednesday and Thursday practices. Safety Reed Blankenship’s move from limited to full participation Thursday was an encouraging development for the secondary. 

For anyone already putting together a Texans draft board, watch who can set the edge on a run and still get pressure on the next play. A reserve who can do both gives Houston more freedom to substitute without tipping its intentions. I’d put more stock in that over several drives than in a single cleanup sack.

That matters now, too. Houston is 3-5 heading into Sunday’s noon Central kickoff on Fox. A reserve who can help force a punt in the second quarter can buy Anderson or Hunter a breather and give C.J. Stroud another possession. That’s a pretty good afternoon’s work even if his name barely shows up in the box score. 

I hope Anderson and Hunter are both out there Sunday. I’ll be paying just as much attention to the first series when one of them comes off. If the next group can keep Cleveland from getting comfortable and give the starters a chance to come back fresh for a late third down, Houston will have learned something it can use well beyond this weekend.