Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans

The 2025 NFL season served as a rigorous trial of the Houston Texans’ team depth—a true measure of whether the franchise’s offseason focus on building a deep, versatile roster would pay off when key players went down. What began as a potential crisis—with injuries to star quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and reserve safety Jalen Pitre—turned into a validation of the Texans’ roster construction, as backups and role players stepped up to keep the team in the AFC South title hunt. Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans explores these pivotal moments of adversity, how the Texans’ depth was put to the test, and how the experience transformed a rebuilding team into a resilient playoff contender. For the Texans, these tests weren’t just obstacles—they were opportunities to prove that their success didn’t rely on a handful of stars, but on the strength of the entire roster.

Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans begins with the first major challenge: the midseason shoulder injury to C.J. Stroud, which sidelined the franchise quarterback for two games and limited him for a third. With Stroud out, the Texans turned to 12-year veteran backup Case Keenum—a player signed in the offseason specifically for his ability to manage games and mentor young quarterbacks. Keenum, who hadn’t started a game since 2023, faced immediate pressure to keep the Texans’ offense on track against division rivals the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts. What followed was a masterclass in depth: Keenum completed 68% of his passes for 420 yards, 2 touchdowns, and zero interceptions, leading the Texans to two critical wins. He leaned on the team’s established receiving corps—Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz—and the improved run game to reduce his workload, while offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik simplified the playbook to play to Keenum’s strengths. “Case didn’t try to be C.J.—he just played his game, and the team rallied around him,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. The test didn’t end there: when Stroud returned, he found a more balanced offense, one that had adapted to rely less on his arm and more on the roster’s surrounding talent—a direct result of Keenum’s short but impactful stint as starter.

A more sustained test of depth in Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans came with Laremy Tunsil’s knee injury, which kept the Pro Bowl left tackle out for four games and forced the Texans to shuffle their entire offensive line. To fill Tunsil’s spot, the Texans shifted right tackle Tytus Howard to the blindside—a position he hadn’t played regularly since college—and signed veteran free agent Andre Dillard to take over at right tackle. The line also relied on backup center Scott Quessenberry to step into a full-time role after starter Juice Scruggs suffered a minor ankle sprain. What made this test particularly challenging was the line’s need to adapt to two different quarterbacks (Keenum and a returning Stroud) and a more run-heavy offense. Yet the unit exceeded expectations: they allowed just 7 sacks in Tunsil’s absence (down from 10 in the four games before the injury) and paved the way for Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary to average 4.7 yards per carry. “We didn’t have a ‘backup’ mindset—we had a ‘next man up’ mindset,” Howard said. The line’s resilience also revealed hidden talent: Dillard, a former first-round pick who had struggled with consistency in previous seasons, played some of the best football of his career, earning a two-year contract extension after the season. For the Texans, this test proved that their offensive line wasn’t just a one-man show—it was a deep, adaptable group capable of thriving even without its best player.

Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans also highlights how the Texans’ defensive depth was put to the test, particularly in the secondary and along the defensive line. When reserve safety Jalen Pitre went down with a hamstring injury, the Texans had to adjust their defensive scheme, moving cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. into a hybrid “slot safety” role and relying on undrafted rookie safety Jalen Catalon to take on more snaps. Catalon, who had spent most of the season on the practice squad, quickly proved himself, recording an interception in his first start against the Jacksonville Jaguars and breaking up three passes in the four games he played. The defensive line also faced depth tests: when defensive tackle Maliek Collins missed two games with a shoulder injury, backup Roy Lopez stepped in and recorded 2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, helping the Texans maintain their league-leading sack total. For the Houston Texans, these secondary contributions weren’t just stopgaps—they became strategic strengths. Stingley’s move to slot safety, for example, allowed the Texans to use more nickel and dime packages, increasing their ability to cover slot receivers and blitz without sacrificing defense. “Depth isn’t just about having guys who can fill in—it’s about having guys who can bring something new to the table,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. This test of the secondary ultimately made the Texans’ defense more versatile, a key asset in their playoff run.

Another critical test in Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans was the team’s ability to maintain production on special teams when key contributors were sidelined. When starting punt returner Braxton Berrios suffered a knee injury, the Texans turned to wide receiver Nico Collins—who had never returned a punt in an NFL game—to take over the role. Collins, known for his speed and ball security, exceeded all expectations, averaging 11.2 yards per return and setting up two touchdowns with long returns. The special teams unit also relied on backup long snapper Hunter Thedford to fill in for starter Jon Weeks, who missed one game with the flu, and undrafted rookie kicker Cameron Dicker to handle kickoff duties when starter Ka’imi Fairbairn was limited by a groin injury. What made this test unique was the special teams unit’s role in winning close games: Collins’ 45-yard punt return set up the game-winning field goal against the Titans, and Dicker’s perfectly executed onside kick helped the Texans rally from a 10-point deficit against the Colts. For the Houston Texans, these contributions underscored a key truth: depth matters just as much on special teams as it does on offense and defense. “Special teams is often the first place you see depth tested, because those roles are so specialized,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross said. “Having guys who can step in and make plays—even if it’s not their primary position—can be the difference between winning and losing.”

Looking ahead, Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans outlines how the lessons from these depth tests will shape the Texans’ roster construction in the offseason. The team has already identified key backup players—like Andre Dillard, Jalen Catalon, and Cameron Dicker—to re-sign, prioritizing depth at positions that proved vulnerable (offensive line, secondary, special teams). They’ve also adjusted their draft strategy, focusing on “position-flexible” prospects who can play multiple roles, rather than just specialists. For example, the Texans plan to target a linebacker who can also play defensive end, and a wide receiver who can contribute on special teams—players who can step in at multiple spots if injuries strike. “This season taught us that depth isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “We’re not just building a roster for the first 10 games—we’re building a roster for the entire season, including the playoffs.” For the Houston Texans, these tests of depth have also fostered a stronger team culture, one where every player—whether a starter or a backup—feels valued and prepared to contribute. This culture was evident in the playoffs, when the Texans faced the Baltimore Ravens and relied on backup running back Devin Singletary (who filled in for an injured Dameon Pierce) to rush for 98 yards in a narrow loss.

Tests of Team Depth in Season for the Houston Texans is ultimately a story of resilience and preparation. The Texans didn’t just survive injuries—they thrived because they had built a roster where every player was ready to step up, and a culture where “next man up” wasn’t just a slogan, but a way of life. From Case Keenum’s steady play at quarterback to Andre Dillard’s resurgence on the offensive line, from Jalen Catalon’s breakout in the secondary to Nico Collins’ unexpected impact on special teams, the Texans’ depth was tested at every turn—and every time, the team rose to the challenge. For a franchise that had struggled with inconsistency in previous seasons, these tests were a turning point: they proved that the Texans weren’t just a team with a few stars, but a deep, versatile contender capable of winning in multiple ways. As the Texans look to the future, they’ll carry these lessons with them—knowing that the true strength of a team isn’t measured by how it plays when everyone is healthy, but by how it adapts when the going gets tough.