The Texans offense hasn’t done much through 30 minutes of play on Sunday, but the home team still has a lead on the Raiders at halftime.
Cornerback Derek Stingley returned a Geno Smith interception 31 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and the Texans tacked on a pair of field goals to extend their lead to 13-7 before the two teams headed into the locker room at halftime.
Smith, who missed last Sunday’s game with back and right shoulder injuries, rebounded from the pick-six to tie the game on a touchdown pass to tight end Brock Bowers, but the Raiders punted on their final two possessions of the first half. He finished the half 8-of-13 for 80 yards.
The Raiders had four punts overall in the first half and the Texans had three of their own, so it’s been tough sledding all around on offense. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is 10-of-20 for 82 yards and he’ll get a chance to start turning things around when the Texans field the opening kickoff of the second half.
Texans cornerback Derek Stingley was listed as questionable to play against the Raiders on Sunday, but he looks just fine on the field.
Stingley picked off a Geno Smith pass in the first quarter of Sunday’s game and strolled into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown of the cornerback’s career and it staked the Texans to a 7-0 lead at home.
Stingley missed two days of practice with an oblique injury before returning on Friday. It was his fourth interception of the season.
Smith is now 0-of-4 on two offensive possessions. The Texans also punted on their first drive, but they now have a lead to protect in their push for a playoff spot.
The Texans’ inactive list offers mostly good news.
Running back Nick Chubb (ribs), cornerback Derek Stingley (oblique) and wide receiver Christian Kirk (illness) are dressed for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. All three were listed as questionable.
Chubb and rookie Jawhar Jordan will share carries in Woody Marks’ absence. Jordan made his NFL debut last week and rushed for 101 yards.
The Texans’ inactives are linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle/knee), wide receiver Braxton Berrios, quarterback Graham Mertz, Marks (ankle), cornerback Ameer Speed, defensive end Solomon Byrd and offensive tackle Jarrett Kingston. Mertz is the emergency third quarterback.
The Raiders’ inactives are running back Zamir White, quarterback Aidan O’Connell, cornerback Darnay Holmes, tight end Ian Thomas and defensive tackle Brodric Martin. O’Connell will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
The Texans have their top two running backs listed as questionable to play against the Raiders on Sunday, but they are expected to have at least one of them in the lineup.
According to multiple reports, Nick Chubb is expected to return after missing last Sunday’s win over the Cardinals. Chubb has injured ribs, but he was able to practice fully the last two days of the week.
Woody Marks missed two practices with an ankle injury, so he would seem to be less likely to be in the lineup. Jawhar Jordan broke out with 101 yards last Sunday and will join Chubb in the lineup.
Wide receiver Christian Kirk was added to the Houston injury report on Friday because of an illness. He missed practice, but is expected to play against Vegas as well.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith will start Sunday’s game against the Texans, coach Pete Carroll announced on Friday.
Smith missed last week’s game with a right shoulder injury as well as a back issue, but he was a full participant in all three practices this week.
Smith is expected to remain the starter for the rest of the season, but Carroll said he hopes to see Aidan O’Connell get some snaps. Kenny Pickett started last week’s game in Smith’s stead, and the Raiders had only 75 yards of offense, their lowest output since 1961.
Smith has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,648 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
