Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans

Injuries noted

Dallas Cowboys: Princeton Fant (IR) — ir; Matt Hennessy (IR) — ir; Kelvin Gilliam Jr. (IR) — Gilliam (triceps) reverted to Dallas' injured reserve Tuesday, Tommy Yarrish of the team's official site reports.; Marist Liufau (IR-R) — Liufau (forearm) was placed on injured reserve by the Cowboys on Sunday with a designation to return, Nick Eatman of the team's official website reports.; Devin Moore (IR-R) — ir; DJ Rogers (IR) — Rogers (knee) reverted to the Cowboys' injured-reserve list Monday, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.; Tyler Smith (IR) — Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Smith (thumb) is progressing well and could return from injured reserve for the team's Week 5 game against the Buccaneers, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.; Joey Porter Jr. (Questionable) — Porter (back) has a chance to make his debut for the Cowboys on Sunday against the Texans, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.; Malik Davis (IR) — The Cowboys placed Davis (hip) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.; DeMarvion Overshown (Out) — Overshown (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Texans, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.; Malik Hooker (Questionable) — questionable; P.J. Locke (IR) — The Cowboys placed Locke (foot) on injured reserve Saturday.; Cobie Durant (Out) — Durant (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.; Jalen Thompson (IR) — The Cowboys placed Thompson (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.; Jonathan Bullard (IR) — The Cowboys placed Bullard (calf) on injured reserve Wednesday, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.; Shavon Revel Jr. (Questionable) — Revel (knee/ankle) did not practice Thursday, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Houston Texans: Tank Dell (IR-R) — Dell (knee) agreed to take a pay cut from the Texans on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; E.J. Speed (PUP-R) — Speed (quadriceps) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Texans on Sunday.; M.J. Stewart (PUP-R) — Stewart (knee) practiced in full Thursday.; Ja'Marcus Ingram (IR-R) — The Texans placed Ingram (shoulder) on injured reserve Sunday with a designation to return, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; Graham Mertz (IR) — Knee - ACL; Solomon Byrd (IR) — Byrd (ankle) reverted to the Texans' injured-reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Ali Gaye (IR) — The Texans placed Gaye (knee) on injured reserve Sunday.; Sam Hagen (IR) — The Texans placed Hagen (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.; Jayden Higgins (IR) — ir; Dylan Horton (IR) — The Texans placed Horton (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; K.C. Ossai (IR) — The Texans placed Ossai (undisclosed) on injured reserve Saturday.; Braden Smith (IR) — The Texans placed Smith (foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.; Kayden McDonald (IR) — The Texans placed McDonald (ankle) on injured reserve Friday.; Jake Hummel (IR) — The Texans placed Hummel (groin) on injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; Henry To'oTo'o (IR) — To'oTo'o (shoulder) is expected to miss more than four games, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.; Jadeveon Clowney (Questionable) — Clowney (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Dallas.; Nico Collins (Questionable) — Collins (hamstring) was on the field for Friday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.; Ed Ingram (Questionable) — questionable; Trent Brown (Questionable) — questionable; Logan Hall (Questionable) — questionable; Azeez Al-Shaair (Out) — Al-Shaair (groin) is listed as out for Sunday's game against Dallas.; Mario Edwards Jr. (IR) — The Texans placed Edwards on injured reserve Wednesday.; Will Anderson Jr. (Questionable) — Anderson (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.; British Brooks (IR) — Brooks (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday.; Calen Bullock (Questionable) — questionable; Jake Hansen (Questionable) — Hansen (knee) has been deemed questionable to play against Dallas on Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

• Dak Prescott is the projected starting quarterback for DAL

  6.95 Y/A

  Through 3 games in 2026, Dak Prescott threw for 730 passing yards, completed 69.5% of his passes and averaged 6.95 yards per attempt. Last season over 17 games he threw for 4552 yards, completed 67.3% and averaged 7.59 yards per attempt, 30-10 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 7-1 touchdown-to-interception line is 3 games in.

• C.J. Stroud is the projected starting quarterback for HOU

  6.62 Y/A

  Through 3 games in 2026, C.J. Stroud threw for 794 passing yards, completed 60% of his passes and averaged 6.62 yards per attempt. Last season over 14 games he threw for 3041 yards, completed 64.5% and averaged 7.19 yards per attempt, 19-8 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 3-0 touchdown-to-interception line is 3 games in.

TRENCHES

• HOU: 86.7 rushing yards allowed per game to DAL's 179.7

  93 YPG

  Houston allows 86.7 rushing yards a game, and Dallas allows 179.7. Over 3 games, that is a real difference in how often each defense gets pushed around up front. Three games is still a small sample, and one big rushing day can inflate a per-game average. If Houston can run the ball against this Dallas front, it can control the clock and keep Dallas off the field, which matters for game script and totals.

PASS RUSH

• DAL: 1 sack taken per game to HOU's 3.33

  2.33 SACKS

  Dallas has allowed 1 sack a game while Houston's quarterback has gone down 3.33 times a game through three weeks. Last season both were in the same range, 2.38 for Dallas and 2.58 for Houston, so Dallas's protection is likely running a little lucky and Houston's a little unlucky. Pressure on the Texans quarterback is still the matchup to watch, since it drives stalled drives and turnover chances at home.

• HOU: 3.67 sacks recorded per game to DAL's 0.67

  3 SACKS

  Houston averages 3.67 sacks a game, and Dallas averages 0.67. Over 3 games, Houston gets home regularly while Dallas has barely touched the quarterback. Sack totals depend heavily on the offensive lines each team has faced, so both numbers can move. In this matchup, Houston's quarterback should have time while Dallas's quarterback is the one likely to see pressure, which shapes how each offense can attack downfield.

• DAL: 7.3 sack yards lost per game to HOU's 23.3

  16 YDS

  DAL is at 7.3 sack yards lost per game over 3 games; HOU is at 23.3 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 16 over 17 games and HOU at 20.8 over 17 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• DAL: 29.3 points per game to HOU's 18

  11.3 PPG

  Dallas is scoring 29.3 a game over three games, close to its 27.7 last season, so that number looks real. Houston has fallen from 23.8 to 18, the bigger shift and the one more likely to rebound. At home, the Texans' offense is the swing factor: if it returns toward last year's level, this game plays closer than the early gap suggests.

• HOU: 67.3 offensive plays per game to DAL's 59

  8.3 PLAYS

  DAL is at 59 offensive plays per game over 3 games; HOU is at 67.3 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 65.9 over 17 games and HOU at 64 over 17 games.

• HOU: 30:05 time of possession per game to DAL's 27:30

  2:35 TOP

  DAL is at 27:30 time of possession per game over 3 games; HOU is at 30:05 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 30:48 over 17 games and HOU at 31:49 over 17 games.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• DAL: 5.53 yards per play to HOU's 4.8

  0.73 Y/P

  Dallas moves the ball better per snap than Houston over three games each, and both teams are running a bit below last season, 5.96 for DAL and 5.1 for HOU. Each had only two 20-plus plays last game, with Dak Prescott's 49-yarder to CeeDee Lamb the biggest. Both offenses have room to climb back toward last season's levels, so a matchup built on few explosive plays may not stay that way.

RED ZONE

• DAL: 75% red-zone scoring rate to HOU's 50%

  25 PP

  DAL is at 75% red-zone scoring rate over 3 games; HOU is at 50% over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 56.9% over 17 games and HOU at 46.3% over 17 games.

• HOU: 42.9% red-zone scoring allowed to DAL's 69.2%

  26.4 PP

  DAL is at 69.2% red-zone scoring allowed over 3 games; HOU is at 42.9% over 3 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 3.

MISMATCH

• DAL: 1 sacks taken a game to HOU's 3.33

  1 VS 3.33

  Dallas has kept its quarterback clean, taking 1 sack a game through 3 games, while Houston has gone down 3.33 times a game. Both teams sat close last season, Dallas at 2.38 and Houston at 2.58 over 17 games, so three games have pulled them far apart. Expect both to drift back toward those marks. For this game, Houston's protection is the side to watch: if the pressure keeps getting home, drives stall and long down-and-distance spots pile up.

COVERAGE

• HOU: 38.5% third downs allowed to DAL's 58.8%

  20.4 PP

  Houston lets opponents convert 38.5% of third downs, while Dallas allows 58.8%. Dallas is letting more than half of third downs turn into first downs through 3 games, which keeps opposing drives alive and its defense on the field. Third-down rates are noisy over 3 games and tend to drift toward the middle. Houston extending drives at that kind of rate would mean more plays, more possessions and more chances to score.

• HOU: 5.53 yards per play allowed to DAL's 6.03

  0.5 Y/P

  DAL is at 6.03 yards per play allowed over 3 games; HOU is at 5.53 over 3 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 3.

• DAL: 207.3 passing yards allowed per game to HOU's 238.7

  31.3 YPG

  DAL is at 207.3 passing yards allowed per game over 3 games; HOU is at 238.7 over 3 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 3.

REPLACEMENT

• Jaylin Smith (CB) is questionable for HOU

  QUESTIONABLE

  Smith pulled up with a hamstring injury against Dallas on Sunday and could not get back on the field. Questionable means he may or may not play, and hamstrings are the kind of injury that linger or flare up again even when a player is cleared. If he sits, the Texans need another corner to cover his snaps, which matters most if you are looking at the opposing passing game.

• British Brooks (RB) is on injured reserve for HOU

  IR

  Brooks went on injured reserve Friday with a hamstring injury, so he misses the Dallas game. He is a depth running back, and Houston's other backs handle the carries. His absence barely moves the Texans' outlook.

• M.J. Stewart (S) is pup-r for HOU

  PUP-R

  Stewart is on the reserve list coming back from a knee injury and practiced in full Thursday, which is a strong sign he is close to being activated. Until Houston actually moves him to the active roster, he is not playing. Check the final inactive list before assuming he helps the Texans' secondary against Dallas.

• Jonathan Bullard (DT) is on injured reserve for DAL

  IR

  Dallas put Bullard on injured reserve Wednesday with a calf injury, so the Cowboys' defensive tackle will not suit up at Houston. The move takes a body out of the interior rotation, and the fact sheet does not name a replacement. For this game, look at how the Dallas front holds up against the run once the depth chart firms up.

• Jalen Thompson (S) is on injured reserve for DAL

  IR

  Dallas put Thompson on injured reserve Wednesday with a hamstring injury, so the Cowboys play Houston without a starting safety. The next safety up takes his snaps, leaving the back end thinner. Texans receivers could find more room on deeper throws.

• Mario Edwards Jr. (DT) is on injured reserve for HOU

  IR

  Houston placed Edwards on injured reserve Wednesday, which takes the defensive tackle out of the Dallas game. No injury was listed with the move, and no replacement is named. The Texans will lean on their remaining interior linemen, so that rotation is where to look when you size up the Dallas ground game.

• Tyler Smith (G) is on injured reserve for DAL

  IR

  Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Smith (thumb) is progressing well and could return from injured reserve for the team's Week 5 game against the Buccaneers, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Reported Sep 30.

• Jake Hummel (LB) is on injured reserve for HOU

  IR

  The Texans placed Hummel (groin) on injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Reported Sep 26.

• P.J. Locke (S) is on injured reserve for DAL

  IR

  The Cowboys placed Locke (foot) on injured reserve Saturday. Reported Sep 26.

PRACTICE REPORT

• DeMarvion Overshown

  Out

  Hamstring · Did not practice · Out

• Cobie Durant

  Out

  Hamstring · Did not practice · Out

• Azeez Al-Shaair

  Out

  Groin · Did not practice · Out

• Logan Hall

  Questionable

  Knee · Limited practice · Questionable

• Jake Hansen

  Questionable

  Calf · Full practice · Questionable

• Ed Ingram

  Questionable

  Groin · Full practice · Questionable

• Jadeveon Clowney

  Questionable

  Knee · Did not practice · Questionable

• Dalton Schultz

  LP

  Limited practice

• Will Anderson Jr.

  FP

  Full practice

• Wade Woodaz

  FP

  Full practice

• Trent Brown

  FP

  Full practice

• Shavon Revel Jr.

  FP

  Full practice

• Calen Bullock

  FP

  Full practice

• Malik Hooker

  FP

  Full practice

• Joey Porter Jr.

  FP

  Full practice

• James Houston

  FP

  Coach's Decision · Full practice

• Nico Collins

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• DAL: 57.1% third-down conversion rate to HOU's 36.4%

  20.8 PP

  Dallas is converting 57.1% of third downs to Houston's 36.4% over three games. The Cowboys were at 41.1% last season, so this pace looks hot and is likely to come down, while the Texans sit close to their 37.2% from last year. On the road, Dallas staying ahead of the chains matters, but expect fewer sustained drives than the three-game rate suggests.

• DAL (1-2) at HOU (0-3)

  -27 PT GAP

  Dallas is 1-2 but +6, a record that undersells a team that has outscored its opponents. Houston is 0-3, -21 and 0-2 at home, so its struggles are showing up in its own building too. Three games is a short sample, but the Cowboys' margin suggests better results ahead. A home team with no wins hosting a team whose margin is positive is a spot where the road side has the stronger case.

• DAL: 6.57 yards per pass attempt to HOU's 5.53

  1.03 Y/A

  DAL is at 6.57 yards per pass attempt over 3 games; HOU is at 5.53 over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 7 over 17 games and HOU at 6.2 over 17 games.

• DAL: 50% fourth-down conversion rate to HOU's 28.6%

  21.4 PP

  DAL is at 50% fourth-down conversion rate over 3 games; HOU is at 28.6% over 3 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 3. Last season DAL was at 62.9% over 17 games and HOU at 57.9% over 17 games.

STREAK

• HOU has lost 3 straight

  L3

  Houston is 0-3 and still searching for a win. Three games is too few to say much about who this team is, and the sheet does not show who beat them. Teams in this spot tend to get cheap in the betting market, especially at home, where Houston plays Dallas. If the line looks like it is pricing a lost season after three games, that is the angle to weigh.

AFTER GARY

• DAL +3 → +3

  NO MOVE

  Gary's number was 3; the market closed at 3.