Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters at a Monday press conference that Edwards ruptured his pectoral during Sunday’s win over the Cardinals. Edwards had two tackles during the game.
Edwards appeared in all 14 games that the Texans have played this season. He had 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in those contests and is signed for the 2026 season.
The Texans put defensive tackle Tim Settle on injured reserve earlier this month, so Edwards’ injury leaves them with Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins, and Naquan Jones on the interior of their defensive line.
Texans running back Jawhar Jordan had spent two seasons on the practice squad without ever getting activated for a regular-season game. Until today.
Jordan was finally active today and made the most of his opportunity, carrying 15 times for 101 yards in the Texans’ win over the Cardinals.
“It’s surreal,” Jordan said, via the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a blessing just being out there with the guys and I’m just thankful. Words can’t describe how I’m feeling, it’s crazy. It’s probably a top day for me.”
The Texans had to go deep into their running back depth chart before giving Jordan a chance. Joe Mixon has been out all season, Nick Chubb was out today, and Woody Marks was injured early in today’s game. That left the Texans down to Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale, and Jordan was the more effective runner of the two, so the Texans kept giving him the ball.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans loved what he saw from Jordan.
“Jawhar did an outstanding job for us,” Ryans said. “He ran the ball very well, efficient, showed the explosiveness, showed the speed that he has and we’ve seen in practice. It just shows whenever your number is called, are you ready for that opportunity. No one knows until you get that moment, and it’s about taking advantage of that moment and not looking back. And I thought Jawhar handled it very well.”
With his stellar play, Jordan ensured his first game on the active roster won’t be his last.
The Texans won their sixth consecutive game, beating up on the Cardinals 40-20 on Sunday afternoon.
Houston improved to 9-5, while Arizona fell to 3-11.
Houston dominated from start to finish, taking a 10-0 lead before the Arizona offense ever took the field. The Texans outgained the Cardinals 399 to 307 and forced two turnovers.
It could have been worse. The Texans went only 3-of-6 in the red zone, and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had a 52-yard field goal attempt blocked on the final play of the first half.
C.J. Stroud went 22-of-29 for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He had touchdown throws of 57 yards to Nico Collins, 4 yards to Dalton Schultz and 4 yards to Collins.
Collins caught three passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns, and Schultz had eight receptions for 76 yards and a score. Woody Marks was credited with a 1-yard fumble recovery touchdown after the snap bounced to him in the wildcat formation, and he ran it in the end zone.
Jacoby Brissett was 27-of-40 for 249 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Trey McBride caught 12 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, giving him more than 100 catches and 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season.
Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia was transported to a Houston hospital for further evaluation after being injured on a kickoff return late in the first half.
The Cardinals report that Baccellia was “alert and had full movement of all this extremities.”
He has a neck injury.
Baccellia was injured a the end of a 26-yard kickoff return with 1:38 remaining in the first half. He was stretchered off the field on a backboard but gave a thumbs-up as he left.
The Cardinals also updated injuries to linebacker Cody Simon (knee) and running back Bam Knight (ankle), ruling both out for the second half.
The Texans still have problems in the red zone, but today it won’t matter.
Houston leads Arizona 23-7 at halftime despite going 1-for-3 in the red zone. The Texans kicked field goals on drives that ended at the Cardinals 12 and the Cardinals 3, and Ka’imi Fairbairn had a 52-yard attempt blocked by Calais Campbell on the final play of the half.
The Texans had 35 plays for 230 yards in the first half, while the Cardinals had 26 for 94.
C.J. Stroud is 13-of-17 for 177 yards and a touchdown. He hit Nico Collins for a 57-yard touchdown on the second play, and after the Cardinals fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Texans led 10-0 before the Cardinals offense ever took the field.
Jacoby Brissett is 12-of-17 for 74 yards and a touchdown. Trey McBride has seven catches for 69 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown. Michael Carter has five carries for 23 yards, with Bam Knight in the training room with an ankle injury.
McBride now has 100 catches and 1,006 yards for the season, his second consecutive with at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards.
Cardinals special teamer Andre Baccellia was injured on a kickoff return near the end of the half. Medical personnel removed Baccellia’s facemask, strapped him to a backboard and placed him on a stretcher. He raised his hand and gave a thumbs-up as he left the field.
