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Justin Watson Justin Watson Unable to practice Wednesday
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 4:57 PM
Watson (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Watson suffered a concussion in the Texans' wild-card game against the Steelers on Monday. The 29-year-old has both Thursday and Friday to have a chance at returning to practice. Watson still faces an uphill battle in clearing the NFL's concussion protocol in preparation for the Texans' AFC divisional round matchup on Saturday. |
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Jawhar Jordan Jawhar Jordan Returns to practice Wednesday
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 4:30 PM
Jordan (ankle) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Jordan, who is managing a high-ankle sprain that he sustained in Week 18, didn't practice last week before being ruled out for this past Monday's wild-card win over the Steelers. The running back's return to the field Wednesday, albeit in a limited capacity, is a step in the right direction ahead of Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Patriots. If Jordan is able to return to action this weekend, he'd be in line to work in a complementary role in a Houston backfield led by Woody Marks, which also includes Nick Chubb. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins No practice Wednesday
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 1:13 PM
Collins (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: While attempting to corral a C.J. Stroud pass in the third quarter of Monday's wild-card win at Pittsburgh, Collins wasn't able to brace himself as his helmet went directly into the turf. He remained on the field for a spell and then was carted from the sideline to the locker room, after which he was diagnosed with a concussion. With a short week to prepare for Sunday's divisional-round game in New England, Collins may be hard-pressed to gain clearance from the protocol for head injuries to be able to play this weekend, but he at least has chances Thursday and Friday for on-field work before then. |
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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Overcomes early mistakes to advance
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 11:14 PM
Stroud completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 250 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a pair of lost fumbles in Monday's 30-6 wild-card game win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Stroud struggled with ball security against Pittsburgh after losing possession of two of his five fumbles in the first half of Houston's wild-card matchup. The Ohio State product tacked on an interception in the third quarter, but the Steelers were only able to generate three points off of the signal-caller's three turnovers Monday. Stroud would settle down behind a dominant performance from his defense (including two defensive TDs) and comfortably guide the Texans to victory in the second half. The 23-year-old will have to clean up those mistakes in the divisional round in order to put his team in position to advance past the Patriots on Sunday. |
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Woody Marks Woody Marks First 100-yard game of career
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:53 PM
Marks took 19 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown while failing to catch his only target in Monday's 30-6 playoff win over Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Marks saved his best performance of the season for the first playoff appearance of his professional career while helping make easy work of the Steelers on Monday Night Football. He did exit the contest briefly in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion before promptly returning without issue. The upstart rookie also registered the first 100-plus yard rushing game of his career after spending most of the regular season splitting backfield work with veteran Nick Chubb. The latter remained involved with 10 carries for 48 yards, but a significant portion of the backup's work came in garbage time. Marks will face a stiff test on the road against the Patriots on Sunday, but the rookie provides the highest upside out of the Texans backfield for the divisional round. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Goes off for 8-144-1 against PIT
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:37 PM
Kirk corralled eight of nine targets for 144 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 30-6 wild-card win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Kirk led Houston in receiving by a country mile while WR Nico Collins exited Monday's playoff win in the second half with a concussion. The 28-year-old Kirk was already on his way to a big night before his star teammate got injured when he cashed in QB C.J. Stroud's only touchdown pass in the second quarter of what was then a tight contest. Kirk only registered a 28-239-1 receiving line in 13 regular-season appearances with the Texans in 2025, so his outburst of production in the first round of the playoffs came out of left field. If Collins is unable to clear the league's concussion protocol by Sunday, then a red-hot Kirk likely would serve as Houston's top receiving threat in the divisional round against the Patriots. |
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Justin Watson Justin Watson Won't return Monday
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 9:56 PM
Watson (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Watson suffered a concussion during the third quarter and has been diagnosed with a concussion. He didn't get any touches or targets prior to his departure. With Nico Collins (concussion) also ruled out for the remainder of the wild-card contest, Houston's wideout corps for the rest of the game consists of Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins Out with concussion
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 9:55 PM
Collins will not return to Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Collins hit his head hard off the turf on an incomplete pass late in the third quarter and was carted to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion. His performance ends with three catches for 21 yards. Assuming the Texans can hold onto their fourth-quarter lead, Collins will aim to clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against New England. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins Shaken up against Pittsburgh
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 9:36 PM
Collins is questionable to return to Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers due to a head injury.
Analysis: Collins has had a couple of hard collisions during the game, and he most recently hit his head directly off the turf on an incomplete pass late in the third quarter. He struggled to get off the field and was carted to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion, so his return looks to be highly questionable. Collins recorded three receptions for 21 yards prior to his exit. |
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Justin Watson Justin Watson Undergoing concussion evaluation
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 9:30 PM
Watson is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Monday's wild-card game against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Watson was deemed questionable to return near the end of the third quarter. He spent some time in the medical tent before walking to the locker room. Watson typically serves as a depth wideout and also contributes on special teams. |
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Woody Marks Woody Marks Cleared to return
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 8:18 PM
Marks cleared concussion protocol and will re-enter Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Marks hit his head hard on the turf late in a Texans' drive in the second quarter and was evaluated for a concussion in the medical tent. He will return after missing only a handful of plays and likely continue to lead Houston's backfield. |
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Woody Marks Woody Marks Being evaluated for concussion
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 8:12 PM
Marks is questionable to return to Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers due to a head injury.
Analysis: Marks hit his head hard on the field on a carry midway through the second quarter. He is in the medical tent being evaluated for a concussion. Marks had just started to get going on the ground prior to his departure, picking up 51 yards on nine carries. |
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Davis Mills Davis Mills Available for wild-card round
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 5:59 PM
Mills (personal) is listed as active for Monday's wild-card matchup against the Steelers.
Analysis: Mills traveled to Pittsburgh a day late for personal reasons. Now back with the team, the 27-year-old will be the backup quarterback option behind C.J. Stroud. Graham Mertz (coach's decision) is inactive for the contest. |
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Davis Mills Davis Mills Likely available vs. Steelers
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 11:01 AM
Mills (personal) is expected to be active as the backup to starting quarterback C.J. Stroud during Monday's wild-card matchup on the road against Pittsburgh, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Mills stayed in Houston an extra day for personal reasons, but he's now traveling to face the Steelers. While the backup quarterback is officially listed as questionable, the expectation is that Mills will be cleared in advance of Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Graham Mertz is also available as the No. 3 man behind Stroud and Mills. |
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Davis Mills Davis Mills Added to report, iffy for Monday
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 12:51 PM
The Texans added Mills to their injury report and list him as questionable for Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers due to a personal matter.
Analysis: According to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Mills wasn't part of the Texans' traveling party to Pittsburgh, but the quarterback is set to board a commercial flight and is expected to join the team in advance of its postseason opener. In the event Mills runs into travel issues that prevent him from being available Monday, the Texans would still have Graham Mertz as a third quarterback on the roster to step in as the top backup to starter C.J. Stroud. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Slated for RB2 duties
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 3:25 PM
Chubb is set to serve as the Texans' RB2 behind Woody Marks for Monday's AFC wild-card game against the Steelers after Jawhar Jordan (ankle) was ruled out.
Analysis: Chubb saw just one carry in two of his last three games in the regular season before being rested for Week 18 against the Colts. He opened the season as the Texans' top running back and logged double-digit carries in six of Houston's first eight games, but he has since been surpassed by the rookie Marks. Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks will also be on hand to provide backfield depth behind Chubb and Marks. |
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Jawhar Jordan Jawhar Jordan Not playing Monday
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 3:18 PM
Jordan (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's wild-card game in Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Jordan came out of Week 18 with a high-ankle sprain and wasn't able to practice in any capacity Thursday through Saturday, so the decision to keep him on the sideline comes as little surprise. With Jordan set to be inactive, Houston's backfield options behind starter Woody Marks will be Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks. Jordan's next chance for game action will come in the divisional round, assuming the Texans emerged victorious Monday. |
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Jawhar Jordan Jawhar Jordan Still not practicing
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 2:33 PM
Jordan (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Per Wilson, Jordan -- who was listed as a non-participant Thursday -- is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, which clouds his status for Monday night's playoff opener against the Steelers. If Jordan ends up limited or out, added backfield snaps behind Woody Marks would be available for Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale, with British Brooks available to mix in. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Set for RB2 role if Jordan's out
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 2:32 PM
Chubb wasn't listed on Thursday's injury report, while Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that Jawhar Jordan (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Friday.
Analysis: Chubb was rested in the regular-season finale against the Colts, but his absence from the injury report confirms the notion that he was inactive Week 18 due to a coach's decision and will be available for Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers. Jordan sustained a high-ankle sprain in the Week 18 win over the Colts and looks unlikely to suit up Monday, paving the way for Chubb to reclaim the top backup role behind Woody Marks. Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks round out Houston's running back depth chart. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins Ready for playoffs
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:33 PM
Collins, who was inactive for this past Sunday's regular-season finale against the Colts, isn't listed on the Texans' injury report ahead of Monday night's playoff opener against the Steelers.
Analysis: Collins and veteran RB Nick Chubb were rested in the Texans' Week 18 win, with an eye toward keeping the duo fresh for the team's upcoming postseason run. With Collins currently not managing any injury concerns, he's set to reclaim his role as Houston's top wideout Monday on the heels of recording a 71-1,117-6 line (on 120 targets) in 15 regular-season contests. |
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