Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans’ 2024 season was a tale of resilience, and nowhere was that more evident than in how their veteran players stepped up after midseason setbacks. A three-game losing streak in Weeks 7–9, combined with injuries to starters like left tackle Laremy Tunsil and linebacker Blake Cashman, threatened to derail the Texans’ playoff hopes. But instead of folding, the team leaned on its veteran core—players with years of NFL experience who had weathered similar storms—to steady the ship. These veterans didn’t just fill gaps on the field; they provided leadership in the locker room, mentored young teammates, and delivered clutch performances when the team needed them most. Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans breaks down the key setbacks the Texans faced, the veterans who rose to the occasion, and how this collective effort turned the season around.

Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans first examines the midseason losing streak that tested the Texans’ resolve. After starting the season 5-2, the Texans dropped three straight games to the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cincinnati Bengals—losses marked by inconsistent offense, defensive lapses, and costly turnovers. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, in just his second NFL season, struggled with decision-making (throwing 4 interceptions in those three games), and the offensive line allowed 12 sacks, exposing a lack of depth. It was during this stretch that veterans stepped into leadership roles: offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, a 10-year NFL veteran, called a players-only meeting to address the team’s focus; defensive end Mario Addison, a 12-year pro, organized extra film sessions for the defensive line; and wide receiver Robert Woods, a 11-year veteran, worked one-on-one with Stroud to refine his pre-snap reads. “Setbacks reveal character, and our veterans showed exactly who they are,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. “They didn’t point fingers—they took ownership, lifted the team up, and set a example for our young players to follow.”

Complementing the locker room leadership, Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans details the on-field impact of veteran running back Devin Singletary, who became a catalyst for the offense after the losing streak. With starter Dameon Pierce struggling (averaging just 3.2 yards per carry in Weeks 7–9), Singletary—signed as a free agent in the offseason—stepped into a larger role, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown in the Texans’ Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints, breaking the losing streak. Over the final seven games, Singletary averaged 87 rushing yards per game and scored 5 touchdowns, including a game-winning 2-yard run in the Texans’ Week 14 victory over the Buffalo Bills. What made Singletary’s boost even more valuable was his pass-catching ability: he caught 23 passes for 189 yards in those seven games, providing Stroud with a reliable checkdown option. “Devin is the kind of veteran who thrives in pressure situations,” said offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. “He doesn’t get flustered—he just goes out and makes plays. When we needed someone to take over the running game, he stepped up and delivered. That’s the veteran boost we needed.”

Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans also highlights the defensive leadership of veteran tackle Sheldon Rankins, who anchored the line after injuries sidelined key contributors. When defensive end Jonathan Greenard was lost to an ankle sprain in Week 13, Rankins—an 8-year veteran—took on a larger role, not only in stopping the run but also in mentoring young defensive linemen like Maliek Collins and Khalil Davis. Rankins recorded 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss in the final four games, including a critical sack of Josh Allen in the Texans’ Week 14 win over the Bills that forced a turnover on downs. Off the field, he organized weekly dinners with the defensive line, using the time to review film and build camaraderie. For the Houston Texans, Rankins’ boost was about more than stats—it was about maintaining the defense’s confidence during a period of transition. “Sheldon is the glue of our defensive line,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “He’s been in this league long enough to know how to handle setbacks, and he passed that wisdom on to our young guys. His leadership and performance kept our defense elite when we needed it most.”

Another layer of Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans is the special teams contribution of veteran punter Cameron Johnston, who stabilized a unit that had struggled with consistency early in the season. After the Texans’ special teams allowed two return touchdowns in the first six games, Johnston—an 8-year veteran—took it upon himself to refine his punting strategy, working with special teams coordinator Frank Ross to focus on directional punting and pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line. In the final 11 games, Johnston averaged 48.3 yards per punt (up from 44.1 in the first six) and downed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line, including 3 in the Texans’ Week 16 overtime win over the Titans that shifted field position in their favor. He also mentored rookie long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, who filled in for injured veteran Jon Weeks in Weeks 12–13, helping Fraboni avoid any mistakes in critical moments. For the Houston Texans, Johnston’s boost was a reminder of how veterans can elevate overlooked units. “Special teams don’t always get the credit they deserve, but Cameron made sure we were a strength down the stretch,” Ross said. “His experience and attention to detail turned our special teams from a liability to an asset—something that directly contributed to our playoff push.”

Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans also explores the mentorship role of veteran wide receiver Robert Woods, who helped young pass-catchers like Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson elevate their games after the midseason slump. Woods, who has played with quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert in his career, worked closely with Stroud to improve his timing with the wide receivers, organizing extra practice sessions after team workouts. He also shared film clips of his own career with Collins, teaching him how to beat press coverage and find soft spots in zone defenses. The results were evident: Collins finished the season with 85 catches for 1,124 yards (career highs), while Hutchinson doubled his receiving yards in the final seven games. Off the field, Woods hosted weekly “wide receiver dinners” where he discussed everything from route-running to handling the mental pressure of the NFL. For the Houston Texans, Woods’ boost was about investing in the team’s future while winning in the present. “Robert is more than a player—he’s a coach on the field,” said wide receivers coach Ben McDaniels. “He didn’t just focus on his own performance; he lifted up everyone around him. His mentorship turned our wide receiver corps into one of the most dynamic in the league.”

The final dimension of Veteran Boost Revealed After Setbacks for the Houston Texans is how this collective veteran effort changed the trajectory of the Texans’ season. After the midseason setbacks, the Texans went 8-2 in their final 10 games, winning the AFC South and securing their first playoff berth since 2019. Every key win during that stretch had a veteran fingerprint: Singletary’s game-winning run against the Bills, Rankins’ sack against the Bills, Johnston’s punting against the Titans, and Woods’ clutch third-down catch against the Colts in Week 17 that sealed the division title. For the Houston Texans, the veteran boost was a testament to the team’s roster-building strategy—signing experienced players who could contribute on the field and lead off it. “We built this roster with the idea that veterans would be the backbone of our team during tough times,” said general manager Nick Caserio. “When setbacks hit, they didn’t just step up—they carried us. Their leadership, experience, and performance are why we’re heading to the playoffs. This veteran boost isn’t just a story about this season—it’s a foundation for our future success.” As the Texans prepare for the playoffs, they know their veterans will continue to be critical—providing the steady hand and clutch plays needed to compete for a championship.