As Super Bowl buzz builds for the 2024 Texans, major injuries to Tank Dell & Joe Mixon create hurdles ahead of their Week 1 game vs. the Rams. Can they overcome?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Houston Texans are the talk of the AFC, a team loaded with talent and pegged by many as a legitimate contender. With fresh Super Bowl odds dropping and a roster retooled for a deep playoff run, the hype is real. But as we look ahead on this Friday, a dark cloud is forming on the horizon in the shape of a lengthy and concerning injury report, threatening to derail the dream season before it even begins.
+115: The odds for the Texans to win the AFC South, making them the team to beat, but with very little room for error.
The biggest story heading into the weekend is the health of the team. The Texans' official injury report for the Week 1 opener against the L.A. Rams is already alarmingly long. Key contributors like safety Jimmie Ward (foot), linebacker Christian Harris (calf), and running back Joe Mixon (lower body) are all listed as questionable. More concerning are the significant knee injuries to receivers Tank Dell, Braxton Berrios, and tight ends Brevin Jordan and Cade Stover. With so many starters and key role-players facing uncertain timelines, the team's depth will be tested immediately. Can the 'next man up' philosophy carry a team with championship aspirations?
Despite the injury woes, it's impossible to ignore the sheer talent on this roster. C.J. Stroud enters his third year poised for an MVP-caliber season, and he has new weapons at his disposal. The front office added veteran receiver Christian Kirk and rookie Jayden Higgins to an already potent offense. On defense, the pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is expected to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, while the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson adds veteran savvy and versatility to the secondary. On paper, this team is built to win now, but concerns linger about the offensive line's depth and the reliance on aging offensive stars like Nick Chubb, Kirk, and Mixon.
Vegas oddsmakers see both the promise and the risk. As of today, the Texans are the favorites to win the AFC South at +115, a testament to their talent advantage over their division rivals. However, their Super Bowl odds sit at a more distant +4000. This reflects a team that improved on its 10-7 record but still has questions to answer. Last season's balanced 21.9 points for and against per game shows a solid foundation, but to be elite, they'll need to take a leap, particularly in prime time games where they went just 2-4 last year.
With established veterans nursing injuries, the spotlight shifts to the next generation. The Texans' 2024 draft class, featuring nine new players, will have every opportunity to make an immediate impact. Top picks like Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter and Michigan guard LaDarius Henderson (who is, ironically, also dealing with a foot injury) could be pressed into action sooner than expected. Defensive linemen Marcus Harris and Solomon Byrd will also be counted on to provide depth for the fearsome front. The upcoming offseason program just became a crucial proving ground for these rookies.
The pieces are in place for a special season in Houston. The Texans have a franchise quarterback, a fearsome pass rush, and new weapons on both sides of the ball. But potential doesn't win championships. The next few weeks leading into training camp will be critical. All eyes will be on the medical staff and the recovery progress of key starters. If the Texans can get healthy, the AFC is on notice. If not, this season of high hopes could be an uphill battle from the very start.
