Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans’ 2024 season was defined by tough challenges that pushed their reserve players to the limit—and ultimately revealed their depth as a team. From a midseason injury wave that sidelined key starters to a grueling stretch of four games in 19 days and matchups against top AFC contenders, the Texans relied on reserves—practice squad elevations, second-stringers, and developmental players—to keep their playoff hopes alive. These reserves didn’t just fill gaps; they delivered critical plays, adapted to new roles on the fly, and proved they could perform under the pressure of high-stakes football. Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans breaks down the key challenges that tested the Texans’ reserves, the players who rose to the occasion, and how this experience turned depth into a competitive advantage.

Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans first examines the midseason injury crisis that forced reserves into prominent roles. In Weeks 8–11, the Texans lost five starters to injuries: left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee sprain), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring), wide receiver Robert Woods (concussion), defensive end Jonathan Greenard (ankle), and safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder). This left the team scrambling to replace talent across all three units—most notably on the offensive line, where reserve tackle Tytus Howard was pressed into starting at left tackle (a position he hadn’t played regularly since college) and practice squad guard Xavier Su’a-Filo was elevated to back up Jon Feliciano. On defense, reserve linebacker Christian Harris took over for Cashman, and practice squad safety Eric Murray filled in for Pitre. What made this challenge even tougher? The Texans faced the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills—two of the NFL’s top offenses—during this stretch. “Injuries are the ultimate test of a team’s depth, and we threw everything at our reserves,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. “They didn’t have time to ease into roles—they had to perform at a high level immediately, and they did.”

Complementing the injury crisis, Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans details the grueling schedule congestion that tested reserves’ stamina. In late November to early December, the Texans played four games in 19 days—a stretch that included back-to-back road games against the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars. To avoid burnout among starters, Ryans and his staff rotated in reserves more heavily, giving practice squad running back Mike Boone significant snaps (15–20 per game) and leaning on reserve defensive end Khalil Davis to spell starters in pass-rushing situations. Boone, who had spent most of the season on the practice squad, seized the opportunity: he rushed for 4.8 yards per carry, scored two short-yardage touchdowns, and converted three fourth-and-1 attempts—including a critical conversion in the Texans’ Week 10 win over the Saints that extended a game-winning drive. Davis, meanwhile, recorded a sack and two quarterback hits in the stretch, providing much-needed relief for a defensive line dealing with Greenard’s injury. “Schedule congestion is brutal—it tests both physical and mental stamina,” said strength and conditioning coach Brian Bell. “Our reserves didn’t just survive it; they thrived. They stayed ready, studied their playbooks, and made the most of every snap they got.”

Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans also highlights the reserve secondary’s performance against elite wide receivers, a challenge that pushed young players to grow quickly. With Pitre sidelined, the Texans’ reserve safeties—Eric Murray and practice squad elevation J.T. Gray—were tasked with covering star receivers like the Bills’ Stefon Diggs and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Murray, a 7-year veteran who had bounced between practice squads before joining the Texans, emerged as a steady presence: he recorded 18 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception in four starts, including a key breakup of a Diggs-targeted pass in the end zone during the Texans’ Week 14 win over the Bills. Gray, a rookie undrafted free agent, meanwhile, held his own against Kelce in Week 9, limiting the tight end to 4 catches for 38 yards (well below his season average of 7 catches for 85 yards). For the Houston Texans, this challenge didn’t just test reserves—it turned them into reliable contributors. “Our secondary reserves faced the best of the best, and they didn’t back down,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “Eric brought veteran poise, and J.T. showed fearlessness beyond his years. They proved they can handle tough matchups, which gave us confidence to use them in bigger roles down the stretch.”

Another layer of Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans is the reserve wide receivers’ performance after Woods’ injury, a challenge that exposed gaps in the Texans’ passing game—until reserves stepped up. With Woods sidelined, the Texans’ receiving corps relied on rookie Xavier Hutchinson (a sixth-round pick) and practice squad elevation John Metchie III (a former second-round pick returning from injury) to complement Nico Collins. Hutchinson, who had just 12 catches in the first eight games, emerged as a reliable slot receiver: he caught 27 passes for 298 yards in the final nine games, including a 45-yard catch-and-run in the Texans’ Week 16 overtime win over the Titans that set up the game-winning field goal. Metchie, meanwhile, overcame early jitters to catch 15 passes for 172 yards, using his speed to stretch defenses and create space for Collins. For the Houston Texans, this challenge turned overlooked reserves into key offensive weapons. “We knew we had talent in our reserve receivers, but we hadn’t had a chance to see it fully,” said offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. “Xavier and John took advantage of their opportunity—they learned the playbook, built chemistry with C.J. [Stroud], and made big plays when we needed them. They turned a weakness into a strength.”

Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans also explores the mental challenge of reserve life—constant uncertainty, limited snaps, and the need to stay ready—and how Texans reserves overcame it. For practice squad players like Mike Boone and J.T. Gray, every week brought the risk of being released or sent back to the practice squad; for second-stringers like Tytus Howard, it meant waiting for months for a chance to start. To keep reserves engaged, the Texans’ coaching staff implemented “reserve focus sessions”—weekly meetings where reserves reviewed game plans, practiced position-specific skills, and received one-on-one feedback from position coaches. They also emphasized “role clarity,” making sure reserves knew exactly what was expected of them if they were called upon. The result? Reserves like Howard, who had spent two seasons as a backup, stepped into starting roles without missing a beat, and practice squad players like Gray were ready to contribute the moment they were elevated. For the Houston Texans, this focus on reserve development wasn’t just about surviving challenges—it was about building a culture of readiness. “Reserve players are the unsung heroes of any team, and we treat them like starters,” said general manager Nick Caserio. “We invest in their development, give them clarity, and trust them to perform. That’s why they were able to step up when we needed them most.”

The final dimension of Tough Challenges Test Reserves of the Houston Texans is how these tested reserves shaped the Texans’ playoff run and future. After surviving the midseason challenges, the Texans went 7-2 in their final nine games, winning the AFC South and securing a playoff berth. Reserves played a role in every key win: Howard’s pass protection in the Bills game, Boone’s short-yardage conversions against the Saints, Murray’s interception against the Colts, and Hutchinson’s clutch catch against the Titans. Beyond this season, the experience turned reserves into viable contributors for the future—Howard has emerged as a potential long-term starter at left tackle, while Hutchinson and Metchie have become core parts of the receiving corps. For the Houston Texans, the challenges that tested their reserves ultimately made the team stronger. “We didn’t just get through tough times—we grew from them,” Ryans said. “Our reserves proved they can handle pressure, adapt to new roles, and make plays that win games. That’s the kind of depth that turns good teams into great ones, and it’s a foundation we’ll build on for years to come.” As the Texans look ahead to the playoffs and beyond, they know their tested reserves will continue to be a critical part of their success—proof that depth isn’t just about having extra players, but about having players ready to rise when challenges arise.