Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans

In the glow of Monday Night Football, primetime games often separate the NFL’s rising stars from the rest—and for the Houston Texans, their Week 17 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars became the stage for a rookie defender to announce his arrival. Linebacker Will Anderson Jr., the Texans’ first-round pick (third overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, delivered a career-defining performance, tallying 2 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble that sealed a 24-17 win—keeping the Texans’ AFC South title hopes alive. Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans isn’t just about one game; it’s about how Anderson, who had shown flashes of potential all season, turned a high-pressure moment into a statement, proving he could handle the bright lights and the weight of expectations. For a Texans defense that had relied on veterans like J.J. Watt Jr. and Christian Harris, Anderson’s breakout was a sign that the future of their pass rush is in capable hands.

Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans began long before kickoff, with Anderson’s pre-game routine reflecting the focus of a veteran, not a first-year player. Hours before the game, Anderson was spotted in the Texans’ locker room, reviewing film of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s tendencies—specifically, how Lawrence shifts his weight when preparing to scramble. “I watched every snap Lawrence took against blitzes this season,” Anderson told reporters after the game. “He likes to step up in the pocket when he feels pressure from the edge, so I planned to loop inside instead of going wide—force him to move left, where our defensive ends were waiting.” Anderson also worked with linebackers coach Miles Smith on a new pass-rushing move: a quick inside spin to beat the Jaguars’ right tackle, who had allowed just 3 sacks all season. “Will’s work ethic is off the charts,” Smith said. “Most rookies would be nervous for their first primetime start, but he was in here at 2 p.m. studying, asking questions, and refining his technique. That’s why he’s special.” By kickoff, Anderson was locked in—and it showed from the first defensive series.

Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans became evident early in the second quarter, when Anderson recorded his first sack of the night. On third-and-10 from the Jaguars’ 35-yard line, Anderson lined up at defensive end, faked a wide rush, then spun inside to beat the right tackle. Before Lawrence could step up, Anderson wrapped his arms around the quarterback’s waist, dragging him down for a 7-yard loss—forcing a Jacksonville punt. The NRG Stadium crowd erupted, and Anderson’s teammates swarmed him on the field, with Harris yelling, “That’s how you do it, rook!” The sack was more than just a stat; it shifted momentum, as the Texans’ offense scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 14-7 lead. “That sack changed the game,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It quieted the Jaguars’ offense, fired up our crowd, and gave Will the confidence to keep attacking. You could see his energy shift after that—he was everywhere.” Anderson wasn’t done: just two drives later, he dropped Jaguars running back Travis Etienne for a 3-yard loss on second-and-2, forcing another punt and keeping the Texans’ lead intact.

Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans reached its peak in the fourth quarter, when Anderson’s forced fumble sealed the win. With the Jaguars trailing 24-17 and driving to the Texans’ 20-yard line with 1:45 left, Lawrence dropped back to pass, looking for wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the end zone. Anderson, who had been quiet for most of the quarter, burst through the line, using that same inside spin move to reach Lawrence before he could release the ball. As Anderson tackled him, he stripped the ball from Lawrence’s hand, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins recovered it—ending Jacksonville’s final chance. The play sent NRG Stadium into a frenzy, with fans chanting “Will! Will! Will!” as Anderson celebrated with his teammates. The Houston Texans’ medical staff later revealed Anderson had played through a mild ankle sprain he’d suffered in the third quarter—a detail that only added to the impressiveness of his performance. “I didn’t even know he was hurt until after the game,” Ryans said. “He never said a word—just kept playing, kept competing. That’s the heart of a leader.”

Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans drew praise from across the league, including from Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who acknowledged Anderson’s impact. “He’s a special player,” Pederson said after the game. “We game-planned for him, but he still found ways to make plays. That forced fumble was a veteran move—staying focused on the ball, not just the tackle. He’s going to be a problem for this division for a long time.” Anderson’s performance also earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors—the first rookie to win the award for the Texans since Watt in 2011. The Houston Texans’ front office, which had faced questions about drafting Anderson over a quarterback, saw the performance as validation of their choice. “Will was our top target in the draft for a reason,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “He’s a difference-maker, on and off the field. Tonight, he showed the entire league why we believed in him.” For Anderson, the accolades were secondary to the win. “This isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about this team, this city. We need this win to get to the playoffs, and I was just doing my job.”

Rookie Defender Steps Up in Primetime for the Houston Texans wrapped up with the Texans sitting atop the AFC South with a 10-6 record, one win away from securing their first division title since 2019—and Anderson’s performance had become a rallying point for the team. In the locker room after the game, veterans like Harris and Watt Jr. praised Anderson’s maturity, with Watt saying, “He’s not a rookie anymore. He’s a playmaker, and we’re lucky to have him.” Anderson spent the post-game press conference deflecting credit to his teammates, particularly the offensive line for controlling the clock and giving the defense rest. “Our offense kept the Jaguars’ offense off the field, which let us stay fresh,” he said. “I couldn’t have made those plays without the guys up front stopping the run, or the secondary covering their receivers. This is a team win.” For the Houston Texans, Anderson’s primetime breakout was more than just a memorable game—it was a sign that their rebuild is ahead of schedule, and that their rookie class is ready to lead them into a new era of success. As the Texans prepare for their regular-season finale, Anderson’s performance remains a reminder: in primetime, and in playoff races, rookies can become heroes.