Defense working on QB pressure points
The season-ending injuries suffered by J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus against the Chiefs rocked the Texans’ defense.
It subtracted two of the better pass rushers in the NFL from a team that finished first in total defense in the NFL a year ago.
Although outside linebacker-defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has a respectable four sacks, the Texans have only 17 sacks as a defense, with two apiece for outside linebacker Ufomba Kamalu and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney. They rank 13th in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt.
They simply aren’t generating enough heat on the quarterback. They have just 34 quarterback hits this season.
“I think everything goes together,” Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel said. “We talk about playing team defense. So, if you want to add more guys to the rush, you take more guys out of coverage. And we understand that, so I think there’s a fine line. We have to try to find a way to affect the quarterback, and sometimes that’s with coverage,
“Sometimes, that’s with the rush pattern. So, I think that sometimes you get worried about the quarterback scrambling and maybe some things of that nature. So, if they don’t scramble, they just sit back there and they launch it.”
After finishing atop the defensive charts last sea- son, the Texans have fallen to 18th in total defense this season and are 29th in scoring defense, allowing 26.9 points per game.
They’ve become increasingly vulnerable against the pass, ranking 22nd in pass defense and ninth against the run.
They had four sacks in a win over the Cleveland Browns, but only one sack in the loss to the Chiefs.
“That’s always the goal is to get pressure on the quarterback,” outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett said. “Our coaches do a great job with the game plan and put us in a great position to succeed.”
The Texans sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson twice during a 41-38 loss during which they al- lowed four touchdown passes. The Texans lost a classic shootout as their defense couldn’t stop the Seahawks on a consistent basis.
Clowney, Joseph back at practice
Texans outside linebacker-defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee) returned to practice on a limited basis along with cornerback Johnathan Joseph (shin).
Inside linebacker Dylan Cole (Grade 2 hamstring strain) didn’t practice and won’t play Sunday. Defensive end Joel Heath remains out with a knee-quadriceps injury.
Offensive tackle Chris Clark (calf ) practiced for the second day in a row and is trending toward playing Sunday, according to coach Bill O’Brien.
Tight end Ryan Griffin (hip), linebacker Ben Heeney (knee, elbow) and running back Lamar Miller (knee) were limited.
Linebacker Brian Peters (hamstring) was upgraded to full participation, along with nose tackle D.J. Reader (shoulder). Outside linebacker Lamarr Houston (knee) was added to the injury report but participated fully.
TE Fiedorowicz should face Rams
The Texans anticipate getting back starting tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz for next week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Fiedorowicz returned to practice last week and is expected to be activated from injured reserve as he’s returning from his second concussion of the year.
His symptoms have subsided.
The Texans designated Fiedorowicz for return from injured reserve.
Fiedorowicz suffered a concussion during the preseason. He passed a mandatory baseline neurological exam before sustaining another concussion in the season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars weeks after signing a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension that included $10 million guaranteed.