Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

Injuries noted

Houston Texans: Tank Dell (IR-R) — Dell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans.; E.J. Speed (PUP-R) — Speed (quadriceps) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Texans on Sunday.; M.J. Stewart (Questionable) — Stewart (knee) was activated from the reserve/PUP list Saturday but is still questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.; 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) — ir; 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-R) — Smith (foot) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Titans.; Kayden McDonald (Questionable) — The Texans activated McDonald (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday, though he's still questionable to play against the Titans on Sunday.; 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.; Ed Ingram (Questionable) — questionable; Mario Edwards Jr. (IR) — The Texans placed Edwards on injured reserve Wednesday.; British Brooks (IR) — Brooks (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday.; Jaylin Smith (IR) — Smith (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve by the Texans on Tuesday.; Aireontae Ersery (Questionable) — questionable; Blake Fisher (Questionable) — questionable; Treyvhon Saunders (Questionable) — Saunders was cut from the Texans' practice squad with an injury settlement Tuesday.

Tennessee Titans: Jaylen Harrell (IR) — ir; Jaren Kanak (IR) — ir; Kendell Brooks (IR) — Brooks (undisclosed) reverted to Tennessee's injured reserve Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Milo Eifler (IR) — ir; Tanoh Kpassagnon (IR) — The Titans placed Kpassagnon (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.; Dorian Mausi (IR-R) — The Titans placed Mausi (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday with a designation to return, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.; Joshua Williams (IR-R) — Williams (pectoral) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.; Fernando Carmona (IR) — The Titans placed Carmona (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.; Jackson Slater (IR) — The Titans placed Slater (foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.; Amani Hooker (Out) — Hooker (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.; David Martin-Robinson (Questionable) — Martin-Robinson (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.; Carnell Tate (Questionable) — Tate (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.

QUARTERBACK

• Cam Ward is the projected starting quarterback for TEN

  6.1 Y/A

  Through 4 games in 2026, Cam Ward threw for 726 passing yards, completed 63% of his passes and averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. Last season over 17 games he threw for 3169 yards, completed 59.8% and averaged 5.87 yards per attempt, 15-7 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 3-2 touchdown-to-interception line is 4 games in.

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

  7.56 Y/A

  Through 4 games in 2026, C.J. Stroud threw for 1141 passing yards, completed 61.6% of his passes and averaged 7.56 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 5-0 touchdown-to-interception line is 4 games in.

TRENCHES

• HOU: 83.8 rushing yards allowed per game to TEN's 122.8

  39 YPG

  Houston is allowing 83.8 rushing yards a game, Tennessee 122.8, both over four games. The Texans have been solid against the run, though run defense numbers also depend on game script, since teams that trail stop running. Four games is a short look, so both can move. For this game, Houston running the ball looks like the cleaner path than Tennessee doing the same.

• TEN: 4.08 yards per rush attempt to HOU's 3.45

  0.63 Y/C

  HOU is at 3.45 yards per rush attempt over 4 games; TEN is at 4.08 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 3.94 over 17 games and TEN at 4.19 over 17 games.

PASS RUSH

• TEN: 1.5 sacks taken per game to HOU's 3

  1.5 SACKS

  Houston's quarterback takes 3 sacks a game, Tennessee's half that over 4 games. Houston was at 2.58 last season, so the line has a real history of giving up pressure. Tennessee improved sharply from 3.5 last season, which is the number more likely to slide back. Pressure on Houston's passer can stall drives in Tennessee.

• HOU: 3.5 sacks recorded per game to TEN's 2

  1.5 SACKS

  Houston is averaging 3.5 sacks a game, Tennessee 2, both over four games. That is a strong Texans rush, though four games is not enough to rule out a soft run of opposing lines, and the sheet does not say who they faced. Sack totals tend to come back toward average. In this matchup, the Titans' quarterback is likely to be under steady pressure, which points toward drives stalling and fewer points for Tennessee.

• TEN: 9.3 sack yards lost per game to HOU's 20.5

  11.3 YDS

  HOU is at 20.5 sack yards lost per game over 4 games; TEN is at 9.3 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 20.8 over 17 games and TEN at 26.1 over 17 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• HOU: 21 points per game to TEN's 13.8

  7.3 PPG

  HOU is at 21 points per game over 4 games; TEN is at 13.8 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 23.8 over 17 games and TEN at 16.7 over 17 games.

• HOU: 29:12 time of possession per game to TEN's 24:19

  4:53 TOP

  HOU is at 29:12 time of possession per game over 4 games; TEN is at 24:19 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 31:49 over 17 games and TEN at 29:08 over 17 games.

• HOU @ TEN carries a 37.5 market total

  37.5

  At 37.5, Houston at Tennessee sits 6 points below the slate median, so the market expects a grind with long drives and few big plays. The sheet gives no injury or matchup detail to explain it, so the price is the read here. Low totals like this are fragile: one defensive score or a short field after a turnover can knock it over. If you think either offense can break a long play, this number gives you very little room.

• TEN: 20.8 points allowed per game to HOU's 27.3

  6.5 PPG

  HOU is at 27.3 points allowed per game over 4 games; TEN is at 20.8 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 17.4 over 17 games and TEN at 28.1 over 17 games.

• HOU: 63.5 offensive plays per game to TEN's 53.8

  9.8 PLAYS

  HOU is at 63.5 offensive plays per game over 4 games; TEN is at 53.8 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 64 over 17 games and TEN at 59.1 over 17 games.

TURNOVERS

• HOU: 0.5 turnovers committed per game to TEN's 1.25

  0.75 TO

  HOU is at 0.5 turnovers committed per game over 4 games; TEN is at 1.25 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 0.71 over 17 games and TEN at 1.12 over 17 games.

• HOU: 0 interceptions thrown per game to TEN's 0.5

  0.5 INT

  HOU is at 0 interceptions thrown per game over 4 games; TEN is at 0.5 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 0.53 over 17 games and TEN at 0.47 over 17 games.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• HOU: 5.5 yards per play to TEN's 4.85

  0.65 Y/P

  Houston is gaining more ground on each snap than Tennessee, and its last game showed how: 8 plays of 20 or more yards, led by C.J. Stroud hitting Jaylin Noel for 52 and Nico Collins for 45. Both teams are up from last season, Houston from 5.1 and Tennessee from 4.38, over just 4 games. Tennessee's offense leans on Cam Ward finding Carnell Tate, while Houston's lives on the deep ball, so this spot hinges on whether Tennessee can keep Stroud's shots in front of them.

MISMATCH

• HOU: 264.8 pass yards a game to TEN's 172.3

  264.8 VS 172.3

  The widest gap between these two is pass yards a game: HOU threw for 264.8 passing yards a game over 4 games; TEN threw for 172.3 passing yards a game over 4 games this season. Last season HOU was at 218.1 over 17 games and TEN at 166.1 over 17 games.

COVERAGE

• TEN: 209.8 passing yards allowed per game to HOU's 260

  50.3 YPG

  Tennessee is allowing 209.8 passing yards a game, while Houston is giving up 260, both over four games. Houston's number is high for a defense that is also strong against the run, and part of that can come from opponents throwing more when they fall behind. Over four games both numbers can move. For this game, the Titans' passing game has more room to work than Houston's does.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• HOU lead the series with TEN since 2025

  2-0 SERIES

  Houston has won both, but in different ways. The first was a 26-0 shutout at home, the second a 16-13 escape in Tennessee. The Titans have scored 13 points in two games against this Texans defense. This one is in Tennessee, where the last meeting came down to a field goal, so the road game has been the closer spot.

REPLACEMENT

• Tank Dell (WR) is ir-r for HOU

  IR-R

  Tank Dell will not play at Tennessee: Houston ruled him out with a knee injury on Oct 9, and his designation marks him as returning from injured reserve. That leaves the Texans receiver room a body short for this game. Any Houston receiver prop should be priced as if Dell's targets go to someone else on the roster.

• Joshua Williams (CB) is ir-r for TEN

  IR-R

  Tennessee cornerback Joshua Williams was downgraded to out with a pectoral injury on Oct 10, so he will not face Houston. He carries a return-from-IR tag, meaning he was working back toward the lineup before this setback. With Houston also missing Tank Dell, the Titans secondary loses a body while the Texans receiving group is thinned too.

• Braden Smith (OT) is ir-r for HOU

  IR-R

  Houston right tackle Braden Smith was downgraded to out with a foot injury on Oct 11, so he will not play at Tennessee. He is listed as returning from injured reserve, and the late downgrade means the Texans had to adjust the line close to kickoff. A backup tackle starting is a reason to look harder at Tennessee's pass rush in this matchup.

• Jaylin Smith (CB) is on injured reserve for HOU

  IR

  Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Oct 7, so he is out for the Tennessee game and more beyond it. That trims Houston's cornerback depth for this trip. It matters more if another Texans corner goes down during the game.

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

  IR

  Houston running back British Brooks went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Oct 3, which keeps him out at Tennessee. Injured reserve means a multi-week absence, so this is no game-time question. Whatever work he had in the Texans backfield goes to the other backs on the roster.

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

  IR

  Houston defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. went on injured reserve on Oct 1 and will miss the Tennessee game. No injury was listed. His snaps on the interior go to the other Texans tackles, which thins their rotation against the Titans run game.

• Fernando Carmona (G) is on injured reserve for TEN

  IR

  The Titans placed Carmona (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports. Reported Sep 30.

• Jackson Slater (G) is on injured reserve for TEN

  IR

  The Titans placed Slater (foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports. Reported Sep 30.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Amani Hooker

  Out

  Concussion · Did not practice · Out

• David Martin-Robinson

  Questionable

  Hamstring · Did not practice · Questionable

• Kayden McDonald

  Questionable

  Ankle · Full practice · Questionable

• Ed Ingram

  Questionable

  Illness · Limited practice · Questionable

• Aireontae Ersery

  Questionable

  Illness · Did not practice · Questionable

• Blake Fisher

  Questionable

  Illness · Limited practice · Questionable

• Carnell Tate

  Questionable

  Back · Limited practice · Questionable

• M.J. Stewart

  Questionable

  Knee · Full practice · Questionable

• Jadeveon Clowney

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Trent Brown

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Marcus Harris

  LP

  Limited practice

• Kevin Winston Jr.

  LP

  Limited practice

• Nico Collins

  LP

  Limited practice

• Gunnar Helm

  FP

  Full practice

• Logan Hall

  FP

  Full practice

• Jeffery Simmons

  FP

  Full practice

• Nate Thomas

  FP

  Coach's Decision · Full practice

• Wade Woodaz

  FP

  Full practice

• Azeez Al-Shaair

  FP

  Full practice

• John Franklin-Myers

  FP

  Full practice

• Tony Pollard

  FP

  Full practice

• Jamal Hill

  FP

  Full practice

• Will Anderson Jr.

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• HOU: 264.8 team passing yards per game to TEN's 172.3

  92.5 YPG

  Houston throws for far more per game than Tennessee, so expect the Texans to lean on the pass while the Titans try to grind. Four games in, Houston is up from 218.1 last season and Tennessee sits near its 166.1 from last year. The Titans' number looks like who they are; Houston's jump is a four-game sample and could cool. In this spot, think about Houston's passing volume dictating pace, with Tennessee less likely to keep up through the air.

• HOU: 20.3 first downs per game to TEN's 15.8

  4.5 FD

  HOU is at 20.3 first downs per game over 4 games; TEN is at 15.8 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 19 over 17 games and TEN at 15.4 over 17 games.

• HOU: 6.7 yards per pass attempt to TEN's 5.72

  0.98 Y/A

  HOU is at 6.7 yards per pass attempt over 4 games; TEN is at 5.72 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 6.2 over 17 games and TEN at 4.5 over 17 games.

• HOU: 1.75 fourth-down attempts per game to TEN's 1

  0.75 ATT/G

  HOU is at 1.75 fourth-down attempts per game over 4 games; TEN is at 1 over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 10. Last season HOU was at 1.12 over 17 games and TEN at 2.06 over 17 games.

• HOU (0-4) at TEN (0-4), a division game

  -3 PT GAP

  Both teams are 0-4 on 4-game losing streaks, Houston at -25 and Tennessee at -28. Those margins are modest for winless clubs, which means both have lost close games. Houston is 0-1 on the road and Tennessee 0-2 at home. One of these streaks ends in this division game, and the point totals give neither team a clear edge.

STREAK

• HOU has lost 4 straight

  L4

  Houston has not won a game yet, four tries in and four losses. Four games is a small sample, and nothing on the sheet says who they lost to or by how much. The opponent here is Tennessee, also 0-4, so one of these winless teams leaves with a win. With both sides in the same hole, the records cancel out, and the spread is where to look for how the market separates them.

AFTER GARY

• TEN +7 → +6.5

  GARY +0.5

  Gary's number was 7; the same book now shows 6.5.