The Houston Texans’ 2024 season has been marked by a series of disappointing performances, and while many factors have contributed to the team’s woes, one stands out: injuries. A string of key player injuries on both sides of the ball has disrupted the Texans’ rhythm and derailed their hopes of competing in a competitive AFC South division.
Offensive Line Woes: A Barrier to Success
Perhaps the most significant impact of injuries on the Texans has been felt along the offensive line. Houston’s offensive line, a unit that was already a concern heading into the season, has been further hampered by injuries to key players such as Laremy Tunsil and Howard. Tunsil, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been dealing with lingering issues that have kept him off the field at various points, while Howard’s absence due to a knee injury has left the offensive line without its starting right tackle.
Without their top-tier offensive linemen, the Texans have struggled to protect rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who, despite showing flashes of brilliance, has been under constant duress. The lack of consistent protection has not only limited Stroud’s ability to develop in the pocket but also has led to increased pressure, resulting in sacks and hurried throws. With an unstable offensive line, the Texans have been unable to establish a consistent passing game, leaving Stroud to shoulder too much of the burden.
Additionally, the running game has faltered without solid blocking up front. Damien Pierce, who had a promising rookie campaign in 2023, has struggled to find space and gain momentum this season, particularly with the offensive line in flux. Pierce, who has dealt with minor injuries of his own, has had to fight for every yard, with the line failing to open up lanes for him to exploit. This lack of a reliable running game has forced the Texans into predictable passing situations, making their offense even more vulnerable.
Quarterback Play: A Rookie Under Fire
C.J. Stroud has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the Texans. The rookie quarterback has shown poise and maturity in his first year, with a promising arm and an ability to read defenses. However, Stroud’s growth has been impeded by the lack of a stable offensive line. He’s often forced to make quick decisions under pressure, which leads to mistakes or incomplete passes.
While Stroud’s resilience has been admirable, the toll that constant pressure and limited support take on a young quarterback cannot be overstated. With a lack of protection, Stroud’s potential has been difficult to fully realize, and the Texans’ offense has suffered as a result. His development could be stunted if the injuries to the offensive line and lack of protection continue throughout the season.
Defensive Struggles: Missing Key Players in Key Spots
While the Texans’ offense has taken most of the attention, the defense has also felt the sting of injuries. Key defensive players, particularly in the secondary and linebacker corps, have missed significant time, further exacerbating the team’s struggles.
Will Anderson Jr., the promising rookie defensive end and one of the team’s top draft picks, has been a bright spot on defense, but even he has been forced to carry a heavy load. Injuries to other parts of the defensive line and linebacking core have placed even more pressure on Anderson, as opposing offenses have been able to double-team him, limiting his ability to impact the game. Without adequate help on the defensive line, the Texans have had difficulty generating a consistent pass rush, allowing quarterbacks to pick apart the secondary.
The secondary, which was expected to improve in 2024, has also been affected by injuries to key players such as **Derrick Stingley Jr.** and **Jalen Pitre**. Stingley, the talented cornerback, has dealt with a lingering hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for several games. Without Stingley in the lineup, the Texans have struggled to cover opposing wide receivers, leading to blown coverages and big plays. The absence of safety Jalen Pitre, a key playmaker, has also been felt in the secondary. His absence has resulted in a lack of leadership and missed opportunities for turnovers, which has put even more pressure on the defensive line to create pressure.
With these key players sidelined, the Texans’ defense has been porous, giving up big chunks of yardage and failing to get off the field on crucial third downs. The injuries have stunted the defense’s ability to improve throughout the season and have made it difficult for the Texans to stay competitive in high-scoring games.
Depth Concerns: Struggling to Fill Gaps
In addition to the injuries to starters, the Texans have also been hurt by a lack of depth. While every NFL team has to deal with injuries to some degree, the Texans have been hit harder than most, and the lack of depth behind their starters has made it even more difficult to overcome these challenges. When key players go down, the Texans are often forced to rely on inexperienced backups or rookies, who are not yet ready to step up and fill the void.
This lack of depth has been particularly evident on special teams, where injuries have led to mistakes and missed opportunities. Whether it’s a missed field goal, a poor punt return, or a failure to cover kicks effectively, special teams have also contributed to the team’s overall struggles. In a close game, these small mistakes can quickly snowball, leading to losses that might otherwise have been winnable.
Conclusion: Injuries Derailing the Texans’ Season
Injuries are never an excuse for poor play, but they can certainly be a significant factor in a team’s performance. For the Texans, the combination of injuries to key players on both offense and defense has crippled their ability to execute and compete at a high level. The offensive line’s inconsistency, coupled with injuries to crucial players like Tunsil and Howard, has made it difficult for the team to establish a balanced attack. Meanwhile, injuries to defensive standouts like Stingley and Pitre have undermined the Texans’ ability to stop opposing offenses.
With a young quarterback in Stroud, a rebuilding roster, and a competitive AFC South division, the Texans’ season was always going to be a challenge. However, the frequency and severity of the injuries have made the task even more daunting. If the team can’t stay healthy moving forward, it will be difficult for the Texans to get back on track and find any consistent success in 2024.
As the season continues, the Texans will need to rely on their depth players to step up, while hoping for the return of key injured starters. Until then, injuries will remain a major obstacle standing in the way of a successful season for Houston.
