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Some teams “find a way” to win games. Some teams, which includes the Texans, find a way to have the longest list of injuries each week. This week is no different with a ton of our players not active for the game. Thankfully for the Texans, it is reported that DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney are both active for the game today against Jacksonville. Hopkins did not practice this week due to a troublesome toe, and Clowney had been dealing with knee and illness issues. Having our two biggest stars left in the game is helpful, but should the Texans be protecting their two biggest active assets?
On the other side of the ball, Jacksonville has several surprising injuries. Rookie RB Leonard Fournette will be inactive for the game today as a quad injury will sideline him today. Fournette is the team’s leading RB and will force the Jags out of their normal comfort zone which is to run the ball 35-40 a game. As well WR combo Allen Hurns and Larry Pinkard are out for the game as well. Hurns, who is the second leading receiver on the Jaguars with 36 receptions and 2 TDs, will definitely limit QB Blake Bortles receiving options. He has been out for the last five weeks. Fournette is also a major target in the passing game, so having him out will definitely help. Pinkard only has one reception on the season, so his loss will not be as impactful as the others.
In equally recent news, Tom Savage will be shut down for the season as well. Exiting the game, reentering the game, and then exiting again has not boded well for the team and the league’s PR on the concussion issue.
Texans Inactives:
Tom Savage - QB - concussion
Braxton Miller - WR - concussion
Kendall Lamm - OT - concussion
Jelani Jenkins - ILB - concussion
Jaguars Inactives:
Allen Hurns - WR - ankle
Larry Pinkard - WR - concussion
Leonard Fournette - RB - quadricep
Even with major injuries to the Jaguars, I cannot see our offensive line doing any better than they did 15 weeks ago when the Jags would rush four players and get to the backfield immediately.