The Houston Texans are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, where they will have their hands full in protecting rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud from vaunted pass rusher T.J. Watt.
Blocking Watt is a challenge for any team, but the Texans will have to overcome a concerning amount of injuries on their offensive line to do so.
The Texans will be without three Week 1 starters on their offensive line in this matchup on Sunday, including Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil, guard Josh Jones, and tackle Tytus Howard.
This is a part of a much larger problem of injuries offensive line, as there are four other offensive linemen who are either on IR or have already been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The #Texans are set to play TJ Watt and the #Steelers on Sunday with an offensive line that is severely banged up:
– LT Laremy Tunsil: Ruled out
– T/G Josh Jones: Ruled out
– G Kenyon Green: Out for season
– C Scott Quessenberry: Out for season
– C Juice Scruggs: On IR
– RT… pic.twitter.com/aH2V1IncgX
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2023
It does help that C.J. Stroud has looked extremely composed early on in his young career, even breaking an NFL rookie record for the most pass attempts without an interception to start a career.
But considering his matchup against the NFL sack leader through three weeks, T.J. Watt, fans aren’t exactly optimistic about the Texans’ chances in Week 4.
https://twitter.com/PatFigueroa_/status/1707907342308950466
I hope CJ Stroud is up to date on his Flintstone vitamins…he's gonna need em#FantasyFootball #NFLTwitter https://t.co/PJ4WpgUymD
— The Fantasy Football Show (@FantasyDirect) September 29, 2023
Dear Heavenly Father, please look over CJ Stroud on this fine Sunday to ensure he makes it out alive https://t.co/xt2AcOOavx
— Nathan Schreckengost (@NSchreck_47) September 29, 2023
If CJ Stroud hoop this game we gotta have a serious discussion https://t.co/MA4gLCSkir
— Bishop G.D Jakes ⚪️ (@Lil_Dagga) September 29, 2023
I’d legit think about not playing Stroud if I were them https://t.co/Pka4JvKUDK
— Josh Stewart (@jstew262) September 30, 2023
Let me take CJ Stroud out my fantasy lineup https://t.co/cpn4XazYUb
— Tariq (@finessingassriq) September 29, 2023
Unfortunately for the Texans, they will need to focus on blocking more than just T.J. Watt if they are going to have any semblance of success on offense.
The Steelers as a team have far and away the most sacks in the NFL through three weeks. Their 13 sacks on the year thus far is four sacks higher than the second-place team in the NFL, which is the Buffalo Bills with nine sacks.
