AFC South
Houston Texans
AI Summary
Houston enters 2026 as one of the AFC's preseason favorites, with PFT's power rankings slotting the Texans at No. 3 overall on the strength of an elite defense built around Will Anderson Jr. and a re-signed Danielle Hunter (1-year, $40.1M), plus offseason additions DT Sheldon Rankins (re-signed) and S Reed Blankenship. The bigger question is the offense: after going 12-5 in 2025 before a divisional-round loss to New England, Houston spent the offseason overhauling its line around first-round pick Keylan Rutledge, free-agent guard Wyatt Teller and tackle Braden Smith, while trading for RB David Montgomery from Detroit after releasing an injured Joe Mixon. Camp has already been hit by a season-ending ACL tear for WR Jayden Higgins, though Tank Dell's return to practice for the first time since his severe December 2024 knee injury is a cautious positive sign. With a 9.5-win preseason total and C.J. Stroud looking to bounce back, Houston's ceiling is Super Bowl contention if the rebuilt line and receiver room hold up.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Real Efficiency KPIs
Offensive EPA/play
-0.013
#21 of 32
Defensive EPA/play allowed
-0.131
#1 of 32
2025 regular season, 1078 offensive / 982 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.
Key Players (2025 production)
Leading Passer
C.J. Stroud · QB
273/423, 19 TD, 8 INT
+47.7 passing EPA
Leading Rusher
Woody Marks · RB
196 car, 703 yds, 2 TD
-29.2 rushing EPA
Leading Receiver
Nico Collins · WR
71/120, 1117 yds, 22% target share
+39.3 receiving EPA
Leading Pass Rusher
Danielle Hunter · DE
15 sacks, 22 QB hits
Leading Tackler
Azeez Al-Shaair · LB
48 solo, 55 assist
Leading Interceptor
Derek Stingley Jr. · CB
4 INT
Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.
Key Storylines
- Offensive line rebuild: 1st-round C/G Keylan Rutledge, FA additions Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith, with Trent Brown also in the right tackle mix
- Traded for RB David Montgomery from Detroit (sent OL Juice Scruggs plus picks) after releasing injured RB Joe Mixon in March
- WR Jayden Higgins tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Raiders and is out for the season
- Tank Dell practicing again in camp for the first time since his severe Week 16 2024 knee injury
- Elite, defense-driven team (Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, Reed Blankenship) ranked top of the AFC in preseason power rankings, but offense/C.J. Stroud bounce-back remains the swing factor
Injury Report
Jayden Higgins · WR
Out for season
Tore his ACL during a joint practice with the Raiders in training camp.
E.J. Speed · LB
Out for season
Torn quad suffered during offseason workouts.
Tank Dell · WR
Limited
Returned to practice in camp for the first time since suffering multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in Week 16 of 2024.
Braden Smith · OT
Camp availability in doubt
Lingering effects from neck surgery have cast doubt on his availability entering camp.
Jaylin Noel · WR
Limited
Dealing with a broken finger and a lingering hamstring injury during camp.