With just three wins on the season and five losses by less than one score, the Houston Texans are at a crossroads as they approach the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.

Will they be buyers or sellers?

That is the question looming large around NRG Stadium, as the Texans could use a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball, with an immediate need at running back and left guard, a position that they have rotated between Laken Tomlinson and Juice Scruggs.

“We’ll see what happens throughout the trade deadline,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans on Monday. “I’m not involved in that right now. I’m just finishing up here. We’ll see what happens later throughout the afternoon.”

After a heartbreaking 18-15 defeat to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, a game that included the loss of quarterback C.J. Stroud and right tackle Tytus Howard to concussions, the Texans witnessed just how much Stroud means to that offense.

Houston had to rely on backup quarterback Davis Mills, who could only help his team generate a field goal and 87 yards of total offense. Mills can’t take all the blame for not executing offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system, as the running back duo of Nick Chubb and Woody Marks only gained 77 yards.

With the uncertainty about whether 2024 Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon will return this season, Houston needs to find another rusher who could team up with Marks and potentially become a mainstay in the backfield.

Earlier this season, Texans Executive Vice President and General Manager Nick Caserio spoke about the process of acquiring or trading players.

“If you are going to give something up, what are you getting in return,” said Caserio.  “Are you comfortable with that decision? What does it cost from a contractual standpoint? Some of those types of things. We try to maintain as much flexibility as possible. We are in a decent spot. If there’s a situation that we feel is out there that makes sense, works out, great. If it doesn’t, nothing we can do about it. We’re prepared to handle it with the players we have here.

I know everybody gets excited about the trade deadline. Typically, it ends up being more of a whimper than anything else. You never know. Every year is a little bit different. Always be open-minded. I think that’s the one thing we’ve shown, we are open-minded, be adaptable, be flexible. If there is a situation that makes sense, great. If there’s not, keep pressing ahead.”

Houston’s playoff chances are slipping, and failing to aggressively pursue a player who could energize the offense, even if only for half a season, would be a disastrous mistake by management. 

Yet, Texans principal owner and CEO Cal McNair has the utmost faith in Caserio and believes he will do whatever it takes to put a winning product on the field.

“With the deadline coming up, you will see teams start communicating more,” said McNair at a community event for First Responders. “If something makes sense, Nick (Caserio) is always active, trying to make the roster better. Whether it is in February, March, or here we are in November. He is always working with the coach (DeMeco Ryans), trying to make the team better, and if there is something that makes sense, I’m sure he will find a way to do it.”