The Houston Texans are walking into Week 17 with some swagger!
After undertaking one their best performances of the season against a solid football team, the Baltimore Ravens, they look to close the season out with a win.
They also look to hopefully clinch a playoff berth with the help they need from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns to win their games.
The outlook for that to happen remains dicey as both of their starting quarterbacks are banged up and are using their respective backups in those games.
But the fact that they have a chance and that they’ll likely finish 9-7 — a seven-game win improvement over last season — shows how far they’ve come.
I can’t continue to praise the coaching staff enough for what they’ve done this season with virtually the same unit from last year.
It will be interesting see how this all plays out Sunday and I’m sure we’ll all be keeping our eyes on the San Diego Chargers/Chiefs and Ravens/Browns games!
Here are a few injuries that you need to know about.
For the Houston Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:
- G Brandon Brooks, Knee/Ankle
- T Tyson Clabo, Shoulder
- ILB Brian Cushing, Ankle
- TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, Shoulder
- RB Arian Foster, Non-Injury Related
- TE Garrett Graham, Ankle
- WR DeAndre Hopkins, Wrist
- CB Kareem Jackson, Back
- WR Andre Johnson, Non-Injury Related
- CB Johnathan Joseph, Ankle
- OLB Whitney Mercilus, Back/Finger
- ILB Mike Mohamed, Concussion
- NT Ryan Pickett, Groin
- WR DeVier Posey, Calf
- QB Tom Savage, Knee
- G Xavier Su’a-Filo, Back
- ILB Jeff Tarpinian, Knee
Graham, Mohamed, Posey and Savage have been ruled out. Brooks, Clabo, Cushing, Fiedorowicz, Foster, Hopkins, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Mercilus, Pickett, Su’a-Filo and Tarpinian are probable and are good to go.
With the exception of Posey — who practiced Wednesday — none of the other guys ruled out practiced all week.
Although these guys are needed, they’re not pivotal in the Texans desire to beat the Jags so no worries there.
And here’s the injury report for the Jacksonville Jaguars:
- QB Blake Bortles, Foot
- C Luke Bowanko, Wrist
- DE Andre Branch, Groin
- DE Chris Clemons, Knee
- RB Toby Gerhart, Ribs
- DT Roy Miller, Knee
- WR Cecil Shorts III, Shoulder
- WR Tommy Streeter, Abdomen
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Miller is listed as doubtful. Bortles, Bowanko, Branch, Clemons, Gerhart, Shorts and Streeter are probable.
Miller suffered a knee injury in their 21-13 win over the Titans Dec. 18th. He’s the starting defensive tackle and I’m sure he could be used out there even though the Jags have absolutely nothing to play for.
Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports yesterday that Miller has made the trip but is still listed as doubtful:
#Jaguars DT Roy Miller making trip to Houston today but still listed as doubtful for game.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 27, 2014
And he also provides a interesting twist on the “doubtful” designation for Miller:
First time, only time -- #Jaguars list DT Roy Miller as doubtful -- first time they've used that designation on a player this year.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 26, 2014
Both teams head into their match up relatively healthy as this season comes to a close.
We’ll see if the Texans will have life beyond this week.
The Texans take on the Jaguars in their season/home finale at NRG Stadium today.
Kick-off is scheduled for noon CST.
The game will be televised on FOX and broadcast on 610 SportsRadio AM/100.3 FM (KILT).
Go Texans!
Next: Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Houston Texans: What To Look For