The s are in the identical spot they have been in 2025, sitting at 3-5 with an opportunity to make a run.
They face a important recreation towards the Cleveland Browns subsequent, who sit 1 ½ video games forward of them within the playoff race.
As a reminder, I do a mailbag each Wednesday. To ask a query, use the shape under, electronic mail m or ship me a message on X.
A few of your questions could also be frivolously edited for brevity and/or readability.
Let's get to them:
Q:When (David Montgomery) will get again, do you suppose we see him carrying the majority of the snaps or do you suppose the Texans have lastly found out what we've been saying all 12 months, Woody (Marks) is RB1? –>
JMA: I do know followers prefer to suppose that they've bullied the coaches into doing sure issues, however let's not get cocky. Whereas they hear the noise, they aren't perusing by way of X and taking notes.
This teaching workers sees issues similar to followers see them. They're just a bit extra affected person versus overreacting to issues.
The Texans will doubtless proceed to lean on Woody Marks as they’ve in David Montgomery's absence, even when the latter returns. Coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley see what Marks brings. They see the development he's made in not solely the operating recreation, however in go safety. He's a three-down again who has explosiveness.
That doesn't imply Montgomery received't get carries. I may see one thing like a 60-40 cut up in Marks' favor or a 50-50 cut up and Caley decides to go together with the new hand.
The Texans know what Marks give them. They may be cussed, however not blind.
"I simply reside within the realities," Ryans mentioned after I requested him in regards to the distribution of carries when Montgomery returns. "After we get (David Montgomery) again, we'll determine that out as soon as we get him again."
Q:Would you commerce (Xavier) Hutchinson for an excellent worth? Recoup some belongings from the Boutte commerce?
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JMA: The Texans had no real interest in buying and selling Hutchinson, nor would I’ve achieved that. Hutchinson does lots for the Texans as a receiver, blocker and special-teams participant. He's their final utility man and an excellent No. 4 vast receiver.
C.J. Stroud can also be snug with him.
I wouldn't be shocked if after he checks the market this offseason, he returns subsequent 12 months, although I do suppose it's extra doubtless he may discover one other workforce. The Texans had curiosity in re-signing him this previous offseason.
Additionally, the Texans can simply recoup the 2028 seventh-round decide they traded away for Kayshon Boutte, in order that's of little significance to them.
Q:Looking forward to the draft, what do you anticipate to be the Texans' largest place of want?
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JMA:Offensive deal with and operating again. Trent Brown will probably be a free agent subsequent offseason. Braden Smith may have one 12 months left on his contract and has not began but. And Aireontae Ersery has struggled some.
The Texans additionally should work out a method to enhance their operating recreation. It's the one factor holding them again this season. Woody Marks has potential, however the Texans want a difference-maker as they’re at the moment among the many backside groups within the league in dashing.
Q: Do you suppose Tank Dell has a respectable shot at profitable comeback participant of the 12 months? Given his grotesque harm I believe he ought to, however he's going up towards Patrick Mahomes.
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JMA: I do, particularly if Dell can end the season. Contemplating the kind of harm Dell had (a dislocated knee, torn ACL, MCL and LCL), what he's been in a position to do since returning has been nothing in need of superb.
I get it. Patrick Mahomes is common and his title holds weight. He additionally returned sooner than many thought. However gamers return from ACLs typically and play nicely.
Nevertheless, what Dell did is exceptional, and I believe sufficient individuals will see that. It'll be shut, although.
Q: In your opinion, will the Texans flip the nook and discover themselves at 6-5 at month's finish? Does that put them within the playoff hunt?–>
JMA: It's definitely doable. The Browns, Colts, Ravens are all winnable video games for the Texans. They’ve extra expertise than all of these groups. I'll most likely decide the Texans to win every of these video games. And sure, it will put the Texans within the playoff hunt.
The Texans' offense is performing nicely proper now, and if their protection can proceed to realize confidence, I do suppose the workforce can get on a roll. They simply have to complete video games.
Q: How most of the RPOs are true run/go choices and what number of are preordained?
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JMA:It's troublesome for me to reply that query precisely with out having somebody inform me that. And it's not one thing the Texans are keen to disclose.
However in the event you take a look at their tendencies, they've typically thrown it on RPOs. Whereas Stroud is unafraid to take off when essential, he has extra success as a thrower. And the RPOs, which the Texans began utilizing this 12 months, have turn out to be akin to a play-action go. Groups nonetheless must respect the specter of a run.
Q: What's your evaluation of how Marvin Harrison Jr. is becoming in? –Joe Quinlan
JMA: It's all the time going to take time for brand spanking new receivers to get adjusted to a brand new workforce. There's an acclimation interval. For instance, Kayshon Boutte simply had his first breakout recreation after eight weeks.
It'll require Harrison getting extra alternatives, which I anticipate will occur sooner or later. Harrison has achieved nicely with the alternatives he's had. He already has a landing in three video games.
The Texans are in a little bit of a troublesome scenario as a result of they’ve 5 good receivers and somebody shouldn’t be going to get the ball as a lot because the others. You possibly can see the Texans being purposeful in getting Dell and now Boutte the ball.
Hutchinson is somebody Stroud is snug with. And Nico Collins is the star.
"Marvin's made some huge performs for us, the landing two weeks in the past, huge play, our drive down, this two-minute drive earlier than the half," Ryans mentioned after I requested him Monday about Harrison. "Marvin makes an excellent toe-tap catch on the sideline to actually get us in explosive, to get us in assault mode within the two minutes. Marvin confirmed up, did some good issues for us, received a pair first-down routes as nicely. He's achieved an excellent job."
Harrison's time will come.
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Q: Why received't the Texans carry (Joe) Mixon in for a exercise? He's the final word X-factor for dangerous offensive traces. –>
JMA:The Texans did their very own analysis of him earlier this spring, during which their medical doctors decided his foot wasn't wholesome sufficient for them to take an opportunity on having him return.
The Texans additionally noticed that he didn't go his bodily with the Seahawks. That reaffirmed their very own findings some seven months earlier.
Sure, Mixon was nice for the Texans in his temporary stint there.
However the truth that they received't take an opportunity on him, and so they received't, would point out that they don't consider he will be the identical participant at this level.
Q: What's improper with Derek Stingley Jr.? Poor protection and tackling? Lack of effort when the sport is set? – P. Smith
JMA: He hasn't tackled nicely. He's misplaced some one-on-one matchups to some good receivers. However I’d disagree that it's an absence of effort. Generally it occurs. My largest shock is the dearth of interceptions. He's dropped just a few. However I believe he'll get higher.
Q: Somebody mentioned Nico Collins didn’t get an extension. Did he not get an extension simply earlier than final season? So, that is simply 12 months two of a three-yr extension? – Bob S.
JMA: Collins was prolonged within the 2024 offseason. He bought a pay increase this previous offseason, nevertheless it didn’t include additional years. Nonetheless, his contract expires after the 2027 season, so the Texans have him for one more 12 months. Ideally, the Texans wish to get an extension achieved this offseason, however that doubtless received't occur till after Stroud's extension occurs.
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