With less than two hours to go before their Week 3 head-to-head matchup, the Houston Texans surprisingly decided to declare wide receiver Braxton Berrios inactive. Berrios, signed with the Texans in free agency this offseason, returned to practice this week from a hamstring injury.
He was expected to provide a boost, potentially both for C.J. Stroud and the passing game, and for the Texans in the return game.
Instead, Berrios must wait at least one more week before making his regular-season debut.
The Texans listed Graham Mertz, Dameon Pierce, British Brooks, Blake Fisher, Darrell Taylor, and Brenden Bates among their group of inactives ahead of kickoff against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Texans Get Major News About Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence
GettyTrevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans also got a significant update from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it will directly affect quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars announced that starting left guard Ezra Cleveland would play in this contest between two AFC South teams.
That was one of the few question marks for either the Texans or Jaguars entering the game.
In addition to declaring Cleveland’s status, the Jaguars also announced their inactives against the Texans.
Cleveland was a second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. He is in his third season with the Jaguars and started 15 games for them in 2024. Cleveland was in the lineup for the Jaguars in both games against the Texans last season.
Lawrence has done well to avoid sacks this season, taking 1 through two weeks of the 2025 campaign. He has also thrown 3 interceptions.
According to Pro Football Focus, 2 of Lawrence’s 3 picks happened while he was kept clean.
That could suggest the Texans’ best plan of attack is one they are well-equipped for: rushing four players and playing solid coverage on the back end, allowing the defensive front to get home and sack the QB.
Lawrence is notably 2-6 against the Texans in his career since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2021.
Texans Facing Ominous Start
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Texans would do well to avoid dropping this contest after close losses in Weeks 1 against the Los Angeles Rams and in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.”
The last time the Texans began the season 0-3, they were winless until Week 5. They snapped the skid with a win over the Jaguars.
The Texans finished that campaign with a 4-12 record.
There are 9 teams at 0-2 playing today:
• Chiefs • Texans • Titans • Browns • Jets • Giants • Bears • Panthers • Saints
These Texans are coming off back-to-back AFC South titles. They must overcome the Indianapolis Colts ahead, who are 2-0 on the campaign, thanks to starting quarterback Daniel Jones, formerly of the Vikings and New York Giants.
The Texans will face their other AFC South rival, the Tennessee Titans, who are winless entering Week 3, in Week 4.
The Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks sandwich the Texans’ Week 6 bye.
Texans Send Fitting Message Featuring C.J. Stroud
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Texans sent out their pregame videos of players arriving and entering the arena, including Stroud. Moreover, the Texans included a fitting caption for the short clip that sums up where they are heading into this contest against the Jaguars at 0-2.
“It’s almost that time,” the Texans posted.
It is an otherwise innocuous message, but one that the Texans must also embrace, lest they fall to 0-3 and see their postseason outlook take a significant hit.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans included Stroud in his charges that everyone on the team must step up. For Stroud, who will be extension-eligible after this season, there is a lot at stake early in the season.
Texans Make Unexpected Final Call on Veteran Playmaker Before Jaguars Game