The Cardinals will be without Marvin Harrison Jr. for at least another week.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced in his Friday press conference that Harrison is out for Sunday’s matchup against the Texans with his Heel injury.
This will be Harrison’s second game missed due to the heel injury, as he was also sidelined for last week’s loss to Los Angeles.
In 10 games this season, Harrison has 40 receptions for 594 yards with four touchdowns.
Additionally, Gannon noted left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle), cornerback Max Melton (heel), and safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) will be out for Sunday’s contest.
Texans Clips
The NFL has suspended Texans minority owner Javier Loya indefinitely, and for a minimum of six months, along with a $500,000 fine. Loya disagrees with the outcome.
“I have cooperated fully with the league from the moment this matter arose,” Loya said in a statement from The Voice Society, a P.R. firm. “All charges against me were dismissed over a year ago, and I have remained transparent, respectful, and forthcoming throughout the process.
“Although I voluntarily stood down from all team and league activities for more than two and a half years, I respectfully disagree with the NFL’s decision. I have always conducted myself with integrity, and I am grateful that the legal process ultimately resulted in the dismissal of all charges.
“I will continue to cooperate to address any remaining questions directly with league leadership, and I look forward to seeking reinstatement and returning my full focus to supporting my family and the Houston community.”
The most serious charges against Loya were indeed dismissed. He accepted a misdemeanor charge of “harassment with intent to annoy.”
Loya may apply for reinstatement in June 2026.
More than a year after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge that resolved a criminal sexual abuse case, Texans minority owner Javier Loya has received a punishment under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Via Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the league has suspended Loya indefinitely. He also was fined $500,000. Loya may apply for reinstatement in June 2026.
In a statement to the Chronicle, the league said Loya has had no involvement with the Texans or league affairs since being charged in 2023.
The case against Loya reportedly traced to a pair of parties at his Louisville home in May 2022. For both, Loya allegedly hired female models from a local agency. The models accused him of sexual abuse.
As to the first party, one of the women reportedly claimed Loya “touched her and spoke to her in a sexual manner, grabbing her butt and breasts without her consent.” As to the second party, multiple women reportedly alleged that Loya “touched them, kissed them and pulled their hair, among other allegations.” One woman claims Loya “reached his hand inside her underwear and penetrated her.” Another woman reportedly contended that Loya picked her up, threw him over her shoulder, and placed his hand inside her underwear.
Loya was charged with one count of rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. He denied all charges.
“The Texans cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and fully support the suspension of Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” the Texans told the Chronicle in a statement. “This behavior has no place in our organization or our community. Since charges were first filed, Mr. Loya has been prohibited from participating in any Club or League activities. That will continue indefinitely in accordance with the NFL’s decision.”
The lack of any formal action against Loya was raised by attorney Tony Buzbee in a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the legal claims of Cary McNair, the son of late Texans founder Robert McNair and the brother of Texans owner Cal McNair.
While both the league and the Texans have used the ominous-sounding term “indefinite” in describing the ban, Loya definitely may apply for reinstatement in six months.
The NFL has announced two Saturday games for the Week 17 schedule.
On Saturday, December 27, the Texans will play the Chargers at 4:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Then the Ravens will play the Packers at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock.
The NFL uses flexible scheduling to put big games in broadcast windows that everyone can watch. The league announced when the schedule came out during the offseason that there would be games on Saturday, December 27, but it did not announce at the time which games would be played on that date. Now we know it’s Texans-Chargers and Ravens-Packers, two games featuring four teams in playoff contention.
The league will also play two games on the final Saturday of the regular season, January 3. Those games may not be announced until six days in advance.
The Lions have added a veteran safety.
Detroit has claimed Jalen Mills off of waivers after he was let go by Houston, the club announced on Wednesday.
Mills, 31, appeared in four games for Houston this season with one start. He tallied four total tackles in his 48 defensive snaps and 31 special teams snaps.
A seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft, Mills has played 119 career games with 92 starts for the Eagles, Patriots, Jets, and Texans.
As a corresponding move to get Mills on the roster, the Lions waived tight end Hayden Rucci.
The Texans will be getting a pair of offensive players back at practice this week.
They announced that they have designated tight end Harrison Bryant and wide receiver Justin Watson for return from injured reserve. Both players will have a 21-day window to practice with the team before they must be activated or shut down for the season. They can be activated at any point in that window.
Bryant last played on November 9 and has been out with neck and shoulder injuries. He was acquired in a preseason trade with the Eagles and had two catches for seven yards in eight appearances for Houston.
Watson has been out since Week 2 with an Achilles injury. He had two catches for 30 yards in the first two weeks of the season.
It looks like the Cardinals will have to try to snap their five-game losing streak without the help of left tackle Paris Johnson.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Johnson has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL. Johnson left Sunday’s loss to the Rams as a result of the injury.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon did not have an update on Johnson’s outlook at his Monday press conference, but, per the report, he is considered week-to-week and is expected to miss some time before he’s able to return to action.
Rookie Josh Fryar stepped in for Johnson against the Rams and is in line to get the start against the Texans this Sunday.
The Texans claimed running back Cody Schrader off waivers from the Jaguars on Monday, the team announced.
The Jaguars waived him last week.
Schrader played one game for the Rams this season, against the Texans, and he saw action on four special teams snaps. He also played one game for the Rams in 2024.
The Texans waived fullback Jakob Johnson in a corresponding move.
Johnson signed with the Texans in the offseason and has bounced between the team’s practice squad and active roster this season. He also has had a stint on injured reserve.
Johnson has appeared in seven games, with two starts, in 2025. He has played 86 offensive snaps and 44 on special teams, totaling one tackle.
With his nine-figure New Heights podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce already has the most lucrative career in sports media. When he retires (most likely after the current season, but who knows?), Kelce likely will be able to name his price for a spot on a pregame show or in a broadcast booth (if he wants either).
The reality that Kelce is currently in the media (and will inevitably have an expanded media presence) isn’t prompting him to help others currently in the media to do their jobs.
Via Jesse Newell of TheAthletic.com, Kelce declined multiple interview requests after Sunday night’s 20-10 loss to the Texans.
All players (except those in the concussion protocol) are required by the NFL to speak to reporters after every game.
It’s not the first time Kelce has declined to talk this year, either after a game or during the week. (All players must be available once during the days preceding each game, at a podium or in the locker room.)
Players have been fined in the past, if/when the failure to comply with media obligations becomes chronic, and if the media covering the team complains about it. Sometimes, the media doesn’t make waves.
Kelce is a first-ball Hall of Famer. He has, in the past, been extremely cooperative with media requests. Apparently poised to retire if the Chiefs had won Super Bowl LIX, he decided to return for another year after the Chiefs fell short. His quotes after games, especially after a loss that could be the final nail in the coffin of the Chiefs’ season, would be interesting and potentially revealing.
The rule applies to all players. While it’s an insult to the reporters covering the game for any player to not speak to them, it’s also a slap at teammates who face the music after all games — good, bad, or ugly.
Tight end Brevin Jordan won’t be available to help the Texans’ playoff push in the coming weeks, but he is set to be back with the team in 2026.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Jordan has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the team. Jordan was a 2021 fifth-round pick and he signed a one-year extension to his rookie deal last December.
Jordan was recovering from a torn ACL when he signed the previous extension and he suffered another season-ending knee injury while practicing with the team this summer.
Jordan has 53 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns in 36 career regular season games. He also caught a 76-yard touchdown pass in the 2023 playoffs.
