The Houston Texans are gearing up to face the Las Vegas Raiders amid uncertainty surrounding the availability of several key players, including Pro Bowl cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and running backs Nick Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, and rookie Woody Marks.
### Injury Updates Bring Clarity
Friday’s practice, the final session of the week, provided crucial insight into the Texans’ lineup as they look to maintain their strong position in the AFC playoff race. The team’s final injury report listed 13 players, with seven carrying designations heading into Sunday’s game. Among those questionable are Chubb, Marks, and Stingley. Of this trio, Chubb was the only one to practice every day throughout the week.
Wide receiver Christian Kirk also joined the questionable list due to an illness, while fellow wideout Justin Watson, defensive end Darrell Taylor, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair were designated similarly for various reasons. Notably, Taylor and Watson are currently on injured reserve.
On a positive note, several key players shed their injury designations late in the week. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter, defensive linemen Denico Autry and Sheldon Rankins, right tackle Trent Brown, linebacker E.J. Speed, and long snapper Jake Hansen are all expected to be available for the game.
### Texans Seek Seventh Straight Win
The Texans are riding an impressive hot streak, aiming for their seventh consecutive victory and ninth win in their last nine games. This surge marks a remarkable turnaround from an 0-3 season start. Despite shuffling multiple position groups throughout the season—including their offensive line—the team has demonstrated resilience and depth.
However, the late addition of Kirk to the injury report and limited practice participation from Marks and Stingley could pose challenges. The Texans will have to manage these concerns carefully as they take on the Raiders, a team with little left to play for this season.
### Raiders Make Moves Ahead of Sunday
While the Texans’ roster remained largely unchanged on Friday—with Saturday usually reserved for final adjustments—the Raiders acted early. They added reinforcements to their squad, including waiving defensive end Jahfari Harvey in a corresponding move.
The Raiders are currently 2-12 on the season and suffering an eight-game losing streak. Their defense ranks last against the run, which could present an opportunity for the Texans to lean on their ground game. This aspect includes recently promoted tailback Jawhar Jordan, who could help Houston control the clock and pace of the game.
### A Chance for Franchise History
A win against the Raiders would give the Texans their 10th victory of the season. That would mark the first time in franchise history the team has won at least 10 games in three consecutive seasons—a milestone achieved during the tenures of head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Despite potential injury challenges, the Texans enter Sunday’s matchup as the clear favorite, anchored by the NFL’s top-ranked defense both overall and in scoring defense.
Looking ahead, Houston still must face the Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts, teams that remain formidable. The Colts recently lured Philip Rivers out of retirement to fill in for the injured Daniel Jones, underscoring the challenges that remain.
For now, however, defeating the Raiders is the priority—for Nick Chubb, Derek Stingley Jr., and the entire Texans squad. It’s a game they control, and one they hope to use as a stepping stone toward continued success this season.
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