Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans

As the Houston Texans enter the final week of the regular season with a playoff spot on the line, their recent defensive additions have transformed a once-inconsistent unit into a strength—providing the pass-rush punch, run-stopping grit, and secondary depth needed to compete against the AFC’s top offenses. Over the past month, the Texans have added three key defensive players: veteran defensive end Mario Addison, defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth, and cornerback Kaleb Chalmers—each addressing a critical gap that had threatened to derail their postseason hopes. These additions aren’t just roster filler; they’re proven contributors who have already elevated the defense’s performance, turning weaknesses (like a struggling pass rush) into assets. For a team aiming to win its first playoff game since 2019, this defensive resurgence—fueled by strategic new signings—could be the difference between a short postseason stay and a deep run. Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans breaks down how each new player has strengthened the defense, their on-field impact, and why they’ve become essential to the Texans’ success.

The most impactful of these defensive additions is Mario Addison, whose arrival has reinvigorated the Texans’ pass rush—a unit that ranked 22nd in sacks before his signing. Addison, a 13-year veteran with 67.5 career sacks, joined the Texans in early December after being released by the Buffalo Bills, and he’s wasted no time making his presence felt. In his three games with the team, Addison has recorded 2 sacks, 5 quarterback pressures, and 1 forced fumble, while helping boost the Texans’ overall sack rate from 5.2% to 8.1%—a jump that moves them from 22nd to 14th in the NFL. What makes Addison’s addition even more valuable is his ability to mentor young pass-rushers like Will Anderson Jr., the Texans’ 2023 first-round pick. Anderson has seen his own production improve since Addison’s arrival, recording 1 sack and 3 pressures in the two games they’ve played together—up from just 1 pressure in the three games before Addison joined. “Mario brings more than just sacks—he brings a veteran’s mindset,” said Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “He knows how to set up offensive tackles, how to read quarterbacks’ eyes, and he’s passing that knowledge on to Will and our other young rushers. That’s the kind of leadership you can’t teach.” Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans frames Addison as the catalyst for the pass rush’s turnaround, proving that experience can still dominate in a league focused on youth.

Equally critical to the Texans’ defensive strength is the addition of Taylor Stallworth, a run-stopping defensive tackle who has shored up a unit that had struggled to contain opposing rushers. Before Stallworth’s signing in late December, the Texans ranked 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (128), with opposing running backs averaging 4.8 yards per carry. In the two games since Stallworth joined the active roster (elevated from the practice squad), those numbers have improved dramatically: the Texans have allowed just 89 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry, holding the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry (who entered the game averaging 92 yards per contest) to just 58 yards on 18 carries. Stallworth’s impact is visible in his run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF): he’s earned a 78.3 grade in limited action, well above the league average of 64.0 for defensive tackles. His ability to clog interior running lanes has also freed up linebackers like Christian Harris to make more tackles—Harris has recorded 15 tackles in the two games with Stallworth, up from 8 in the two games before. “Taylor is a force in the middle,” Burke said. “He takes on double teams, he pushes the pocket, and he makes it hard for running backs to find holes. That’s exactly what we needed to stop teams like the Colts, who love to run the ball.” Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans explores how Stallworth’s run-stopping ability has balanced the defense, making it harder for opponents to focus solely on passing the ball.

For the Houston Texans, the addition of Kaleb Chalmers has provided much-needed depth in the secondary—a unit that had been stretched thin by injuries. Chalmers, an undrafted free agent who spent training camp with the Texans before joining the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, returned to Houston in mid-December after cornerback Steven Nelson suffered a hamstring injury. While Chalmers hasn’t started a game yet, he’s played 18 defensive snaps in the two games since his return, mostly in nickel packages, and has recorded 2 pass breakups and 1 tackle. His familiarity with the Texans’ zone coverage schemes has been invaluable, as he didn’t need time to learn the playbook—unlike a new signing who would require weeks of preparation. This has allowed the Texans to keep their secondary rotations consistent, avoiding the disjointed coverage that plagued them earlier in the season when injuries forced inexperienced players into action. “Kaleb’s return has given us peace of mind,” said secondary coach D’Anton Lynn. “We don’t have to rush a rookie into action or ask a linebacker to play out of position. He knows our system, he’s quick, and he’s not afraid to make plays.” For the Houston Texans, Chalmers’ addition is a reminder that depth matters in the NFL—especially in the secondary, where injuries can quickly derail a defense. His presence ensures the Texans won’t be caught shorthanded if another cornerback gets hurt, a critical advantage heading into a potential playoff matchup against pass-heavy teams like the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans emphasizes how Chalmers’ depth has stabilized the secondary, allowing the defense to play with confidence.

Another layer of the Texans’ defensive strength lies in how their new additions have improved the unit’s overall flexibility, allowing Burke to adjust schemes based on opponents’ strengths. Before Addison and Stallworth joined, the Texans were limited in their defensive packages: they relied heavily on four-man rushes and basic zone coverage, as they lacked the personnel to run more aggressive schemes. Now, with Addison’s ability to line up at both defensive end spots and Stallworth’s interior presence, the Texans can run more blitz packages—sending linebackers or safeties while still maintaining coverage. In the Texans’ Week 16 win over the Titans, they used a “five-man rush” on 18% of their defensive snaps (up from 8fore their new additions), recording 2 sacks and forcing 3 incomplete passes on those plays. This flexibility was on full display in the fourth quarter, when Burke called a blitz with Addison and Anderson Jr. coming from opposite edges—pressuring Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill into a game-sealing interception. “Our new additions have given us options we didn’t have before,” Burke said. “We can blitz more, we can drop linemen into coverage, and we can adjust on the fly without worrying about leaving gaps. That’s the mark of a strong defense.” For the Houston Texans, this flexibility is crucial against teams like the Indianapolis Colts, who use a balanced offense (ranking 15th in rushing and 16th in passing) and can exploit predictable defenses. With their new additions, the Texans can now adapt to whatever the Colts throw at them, making it harder for Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ offense to find a rhythm. Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans examines how this newfound flexibility has made the defense more unpredictable—and more effective.

Finally, the Texans’ new defensive additions have brought a winning mindset to a unit that had struggled with confidence in recent seasons. Addison, who has played in 11 playoff games during his career, has shared stories of postseason success with his teammates, while Stallworth—who won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022—has talked about the focus needed to win in January. These veterans have helped shift the team’s culture, from one of rebuilding to one of competing for championships. “When you have guys who have been there and done that, it changes the way everyone thinks,” said Texans linebacker C.J. Mosley. “Mario and Taylor don’t just talk about winning—they show us how to win, through their work ethic, their preparation, and their poise in big moments.” This mindset was evident in the Texans’ Week 16 win over the Titans, when the defense forced a turnover on downs in the final two minutes to secure the victory—something they had failed to do in three close games earlier this season. For the Houston Texans, this mental shift—fueled by their new defensive additions—may be the most valuable strength of all. In the playoffs, where pressure is at its highest, having veterans who know how to perform under stress can make all the difference. Defensive Strength with New Additions for the Houston Texans concludes by noting that while talent and scheme are important, the mindset brought by Addison, Stallworth, and Chalmers has turned the Texans’ defense into a true playoff-caliber unit. As they prepare to face the Colts in a win-or-go-home game, this defensive strength—built on strategic new additions—will be the foundation of their quest to secure a playoff spot and make a statement in the postseason.