Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players

The NFL’s Pro Bowl selections are always a source of debate, but this year’s announcements have sparked particular outrage among Houston Texans fans and analysts—all because Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players who’ve been instrumental in the team’s dramatic playoff push. After a season that saw the Texans transform from a 3-13 team to a playoff contender, several key contributors were left off the Pro Bowl roster, despite statistical performances that rival or exceed those of selected players. From breakout rookies to veteran leaders, these snubs highlight the gap between national recognition and on-field impact, especially for a team that spent years in rebuilding mode and is only now regaining the league’s attention. Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players isn’t just a talking point—it’s a reflection of how small-market teams and rising franchises often struggle to get their stars the recognition they deserve, even when their play speaks for itself. This article breaks down the most notable Texans snubs, why their exclusion is unjustified, and what it says about the Pro Bowl selection process.

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players starts with one of the most glaring omissions: left tackle Laremy Tunsil. A former Pro Bowler in 2020, Tunsil has had a career resurgence this season, anchoring an offensive line that has transformed Houston’s rushing attack and protected rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Tunsil has allowed just 2 sacks and 8 pressures all season, ranking 4th among all offensive tackles in pass-blocking grade (87.3)—higher than three of the four Pro Bowl selections at his position. He’s also been a key run-blocker, helping the Texans climb from 28th to 15th in rushing yards per game. What makes Tunsil’s snub even more puzzling is his consistency: he’s started every game, played 98% of the offensive snaps, and been a vocal leader for a young line that includes two rookies. “Laremy has been the backbone of our offense,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the selections. “You look at the guys who made it, and their stats don’t hold up to what he’s done. It’s a disservice to his hard work.” For Tunsil, the snub is a reminder that even elite play can be overlooked when a team is emerging from obscurity, as voters often rely on past reputation or team popularity over current performance.

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players also includes a surprising exclusion at the skill position: wide receiver Nico Collins. After missing most of last season with an injury, Collins has exploded in 2023, becoming Stroud’s most reliable target and one of the NFL’s most efficient wideouts. He’s recorded 75 catches for 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns—numbers that place him in the top 12 among wide receivers in all three categories. What sets Collins apart, though, is his ability to make big plays in critical moments: he’s averaging 14.7 yards per catch (8th among receivers with 50+ catches) and has 18 receptions of 20+ yards, including a game-winning 45-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet Collins was passed over for Pro Bowl selections like the Indianapolis Colts’ Michael Pittman Jr. (78 catches, 954 yards, 4 touchdowns) and the Tennessee Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins (64 catches, 784 yards, 3 touchdowns)—players with fewer yards and touchdowns. Collins has also been a model of durability, playing in all 14 games and drawing double coverage on 35% of his snaps, which opens up opportunities for his teammates. “Nico’s been more than a receiver—he’s been a playmaker,” Stroud said. “Every time we need a big catch, he’s there. To see him left off is hard to understand.”

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players is further underscored by the Houston Texans’ underappreciated defensive line, specifically defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. While edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. received some Pro Bowl buzz (and rightfully so), Rankins has been the unsung hero of Houston’s defensive front, clogging interior lanes and generating consistent pressure from the middle. Rankins has recorded 5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 32 tackles this season—impressive numbers for a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme—and has a PFF run-defense grade of 82.1, which ranks 6th among all interior defensive linemen. What makes his snub notable is his impact on the run game: the Texans have improved from 29th to 11th in rushing yards allowed per game, and Rankins is a big reason why, as he’s stuffed 14 runs at or behind the line of scrimmage. He’s also been a leader in the locker room, mentoring young defensive linemen like Anderson Jr. and Malcolm Roach. The Houston Texans’ underappreciated defensive line has flown under the radar all season, and Rankins’ exclusion from the Pro Bowl is a symptom of that—voters often focus on edge rushers or players on more high-profile defenses, ignoring the interior linemen who anchor run defense and free up pass rushers. “Sheldon doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he’s not a ‘sack artist,’ but he’s the reason our defense works,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “He’s a Pro Bowler in every way except the title.”

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players also highlights the Houston Texans’ standout special teams contributor, punter Cam Johnston. While special teams players are often overlooked in Pro Bowl voting, Johnston has had one of the best seasons of his career, helping the Texans win the field position battle in nearly every game. He’s averaging 48.2 yards per punt (5th in the NFL) and has pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 32 times (4th in the league)—numbers that exceed those of Pro Bowl punter Tommy Townsend of the Kansas City Chiefs (46.8 yards per punt, 28 inside-the-20s). Johnston has also been consistent in high-pressure situations: in the Texans’ four fourth-quarter comeback wins, he averaged 51.3 yards per punt, including a 62-yard punt that pinned the Jacksonville Jaguars inside their 5-yard line in the final two minutes of a one-point win. The Houston Texans’ standout special teams contributor has been a quiet force all season, but his snub is particularly frustrating because special teams success is often the difference in close games—something the Texans know well, as they’ve won seven games by a touchdown or less. “Cam’s punts have set up our defense for success all year,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross said. “He’s one of the best in the league, and it’s a shame voters didn’t recognize that.”

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Houston Texans Players concludes with the Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, whose exclusion from the Pro Bowl is perhaps the most controversial of all. Stroud has had a historic rookie season, throwing for 3,800 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions—numbers that rank him 6th in passer rating (102.9) among all quarterbacks, ahead of Pro Bowl selections like Josh Allen (100.7) and Lamar Jackson (99.1). He’s led four fourth-quarter comebacks, set the NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie in a single game (470 yards against the Buccaneers), and guided the Texans to their first playoff berth since 2020. Yet he was passed over for the Pro Bowl in favor of Jackson, Allen, and Patrick Mahomes—all great quarterbacks, but none of whom have had a rookie season as dominant as Stroud’s. The Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been the face of the team’s turnaround, and his snub speaks to a larger issue: Pro Bowl voters often prioritize name recognition and past success over breakout performances, especially from rookies. “C.J. has done things no rookie quarterback has ever done,” Ryans said. “To leave him off the Pro Bowl roster is a mistake, plain and simple.” While Stroud has downplayed the snub, focusing instead on the playoffs, it’s a reminder that the Pro Bowl is as much about reputation as it is about performance. For the Texans, these snubs are a sign of progress—they’re now a team with players good enough to be overlooked, a far cry from their rebuilding years. And as they head into the playoffs, these “snubbed” players have extra motivation to prove the voters wrong on the biggest stage.