Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans’ 2024 season was a masterclass in resilience—one where roster depth was tested at every turn. From midseason injuries to star players, unexpected positional shortages, and a grueling stretch of AFC South matchups, the Texans faced challenges that would have derailed less prepared teams. Yet, time and again, their depth players stepped up: practice squad elevations made critical tackles, backup offensive linemen protected the quarterback, and second-string receivers moved the chains in crunch time. This wasn’t luck—it was the result of a deliberate strategy by general manager Nick Caserio to build a deep, versatile roster during the offseason, prioritizing proven veterans and developmental talent alike. Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans breaks down the key challenges that tested the Texans’ depth, the players who rose to the occasion, and how this resilience became a defining trait of their playoff-bound season.

Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans first examines the midseason injury wave that forced the Texans to rely on their depth. In Weeks 8–10, the team lost three key starters: left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee sprain), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring injury), and wide receiver Robert Woods (concussion). Tunsil’s absence was particularly concerning—he’s one of the league’s top pass protectors, and his replacement, second-year tackle Tytus Howard, had only started two games at left tackle in his career. Cashman, the team’s leading tackler at the time, was replaced by Christian Harris, a third-round pick in 2023 who had seen limited snaps up to that point. Woods’ injury left a gap in the receiving corps, forcing rookie Xavier Hutchinson and practice squad elevation John Metchie III into larger roles. What happened next? Howard allowed just one sack in four starts, Harris recorded 32 tackles and a forced fumble in Cashman’s absence, and Metchie caught 11 passes for 143 yards in three games. “Injuries are inevitable, but how you respond depends on the depth you’ve built,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. “Our guys didn’t flinch—they stepped in and played like starters. That’s the mark of a deep roster.”

Complementing the injury response, Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans details the Texans’ depth at running back, a position that faced unexpected scrutiny after starter Dameon Pierce missed two games with an ankle injury. With Pierce sidelined, the Texans turned to a combination of Devin Singletary (a free-agent signing) and Mike Boone (a practice squad elevation) to carry the load. Singletary, who had spent four seasons with the Bills, stepped into the lead role, rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the two games, including a 102-yard performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars that kept the Texans’ AFC South hopes alive. Boone, meanwhile, provided critical depth in short-yardage situations, converting three fourth-and-1 attempts and scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. What made this depth even more impressive was its versatility: Singletary excelled at outside runs and pass catching, while Boone specialized in power runs between the tackles. “We knew we needed multiple running backs to survive a 17-game season,” said offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. “Devin and Mike gave us different skill sets, and they both stepped up when we needed them most. That’s the value of depth—it lets you adapt to any situation.”

Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans also explores the Texans’ defensive line depth, which was tested by a late-season injury to star edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (ankle sprain). Greenard, who had 8.5 sacks through 13 games, was sidelined for the final four regular-season games, forcing the Texans to lean on second-year player Will Anderson Jr. (who shifted to Greenard’s spot) and practice squad elevation Mario Addison, a 12-year veteran with 60 career sacks. Anderson, already a Pro Bowl-caliber player, rose to the challenge, recording 4 sacks and 6 quarterback hits in Greenard’s absence, while Addison provided steady production with 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. The defensive line also got contributions from backup tackle Khalil Davis, who filled in for Sheldon Rankins when he missed a game with a shoulder injury. For the Houston Texans, this depth wasn’t just about filling gaps—it was about maintaining the defense’s dominance: the unit allowed just 18.3 points per game during Greenard’s absence, down from their season average of 20.1. “Our defensive line depth is a point of pride,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “We have guys who can come in and make plays, whether they’re rookies or veterans. That’s how we keep our defense consistent, even when starters go down.”

Another layer of Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans is the Texans’ special teams depth, which was tested by injuries to key contributors and a late-season slump. In Week 12, special teams ace Jaylon Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury, leaving a gap in punt coverage. The Texans responded by elevating practice squad linebacker Jake Hansen, who had spent most of the season on the scout team. Hansen quickly became a standout, recording 5 special teams tackles in his first three games and forcing a fumble in the Texans’ Week 14 win over the Buffalo Bills. The team also faced a challenge at long snapper when Jon Weeks, a 14-year veteran, missed two games with a thumb injury. His replacement, rookie Mitchell Fraboni, had never snapped in an NFL game before, but he executed flawlessly, helping kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn make all 5 of his field goal attempts during that stretch. For the Houston Texans, special teams depth is often overlooked, but this season proved it’s just as critical as offensive or defensive depth. “Special teams can win or lose games, and we can’t afford to have gaps there,” said special teams coordinator Frank Ross. “Jake and Mitchell didn’t just fill roles—they made plays that helped us win. That’s the value of having depth across every unit.”

Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans also highlights the Texans’ strategy to build depth through the draft and free agency, a deliberate approach that paid off during the season. Caserio, who took over as GM in 2021, focused on drafting versatile players who could play multiple positions—like Christian Harris, who can line up at middle and outside linebacker—and signing low-cost, high-impact veterans like Devin Singletary and Mario Addison. The team also invested in the practice squad, signing players with NFL experience who could step in at a moment’s notice, such as John Metchie III and Jake Hansen. This strategy ensured that no matter the challenge—an injury, a position change, or a tough matchup—the Texans had a player ready to contribute. For the Houston Texans, this depth wasn’t just a safety net; it was a competitive advantage. “We build our roster with the expectation that we’ll face challenges,” Caserio said. “Depth isn’t about having extra players—it’s about having the right players who can step up when their number is called. This season, that approach paid off in a big way.”

The final dimension of Depth Tested Amid Challenges in Season for the Houston Texans is how this depth fueled the team’s playoff push and changed their identity. Entering the season, the Texans were viewed as a young team relying on stars like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. But by the end of the season, they were known as a resilient group where every player—from starters to practice squad elevations—could make a difference. This depth was on full display in the Texans’ Week 16 overtime win over the Titans: backup running back Devin Singletary rushed for 89 yards, practice squad elevation Jake Hansen made a critical special teams tackle, and backup tackle Tytus Howard didn’t allow a single pressure. For the Houston Texans, this depth wasn’t just about surviving challenges—it was about thriving in them. “This season taught us that we’re more than just our star players,” Ryans said. “We’re a team where everyone contributes, where depth is a strength, and where challenges bring out the best in us. That’s the kind of team that can compete in the playoffs—and beyond. We didn’t just test our depth this season; we turned it into our greatest asset.” As the Texans look ahead to future seasons, their 2024 experience will serve as a blueprint: build deep, play together, and trust that every player in the locker room has what it takes to win.