HOUSTON TEXANS NEWS

David Johnson - Has season-low snap count Johnson had two carries for four yards and caught his lone target for minus-1 yard in Sunday's 38-22 loss to the Rams.

Impact Johnson (11 snaps) and Phillip Lindsay (eight) were expected to have elevated backfield roles following the trade of Mark Ingram, but that never materialized. Instead, Rex Burkhead rose to the top with 30 snaps, four targets and a touchdown. And to some extent, Scottie Phillips (15 snaps) got a bump as well. It's unclear how the game circumstances impacted the workload distribution, but to date, Johnson had received a consistent 25-30 snaps and played a significant role when Houston had fallen behind in games, as it did once again Sunday. With the Nov. 2 trade deadline approaching, there could be further shakeup in the backfield, although the unit as a whole is bleak.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Phillip Lindsay - Gets no bump in role Lindsay had three carries for eight yards in Sunday's 38-22 loss to the Rams.

Impact There was anticipation centered on Houston's backfield Sunday, the first game without Mark Ingram as its leader. Lindsay and David Johnson received most of the attention, but the backfield winner turned out to be Rex Burkhead, who led the group in snap count (30) and scored a touchdown. There could be further shakeup heading into the Nov. 2 trade deadline, which could have been the reason for highlighting Burkhead. For now, it looks like Lindsay received no perceptible benefit from the trade.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Are these Texans worse than the 2002 expansion team? Stats (and eyes) say yes after loss to Rams The Houston Texans lost 38-22 to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium on Sunday, in Week 8 of the NFL calendar.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

From the Podium: Sean McVay, Greg Gaines, Ernest Jones, Matthew Stafford and Robert Woods react to Week 8 win over Texans Key quotes and notes from Rams head coach Sean McVay, defensive lineman Greg Gaines, linebacker Ernest Jones, quarterback Matthew Stafford a...

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

NFL Today, Week 8

NFL Today, Week 8

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ernest Jones talks performance vs. Texans Rams LB Ernest Jones discusses what went into his performance in the team's 38-22 win over the Texans in Week 8, which included him making f...

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Sean McVay reacts to Rams' Week 8 win over Texans Rams head coach Sean McVay discusses the team's 38-22 win over the Texans on Sunday in Houston, including his thoughts on LB Ernest Jones' p...

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Rams' 38-22 road victory over Houston Texans by the numbers Breaking down the notable numbers behind the Rams' 38-22 road victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday — scoring and statistics.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • LATIMES.COM

Rams roll over Texans as expected, but next comes big test in clash with Titans The Rams rolled over the hapless Houston Texans as expected, but they have a tougher task next week against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday n...

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Rams get 5 sacks to shut down Mills, Texans in 38-22 win

Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams hurried, harassed and all-around befuddled Houston Texans rookie Davis Mills

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOOK: Texans fans dress up for Halloween for Week 8 against the Rams Although the Houston Texans lost 38-22 to the Los Angeles Rams, fans were still festive at NRG Stadium for the first Halloween game since 20...

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

QB Davis Mills remains optimistic after loss to Rams Houston Texans QB Davis Mills tossed three touchdowns late in a defeat to the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Late spark not enough ' Vandermeer's View The final 12 minutes of Sunday’s game with the Rams saw the Texans move the ball better than they have in weeks.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Jonathan Greenard's sack streak continues Houston Texans DL Jonathan Greenard picked up a sack Sunday in the loss to the Rams at NRG Stadium.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Rookie TE Brevin Jordan scores TD in NFL debut In his NFL debut, Houston Texans TE Brevin Jordan scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Jordan Akins - Catches all five targets Akins caught five receptions for 53 yards on five targets against the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Akins was efficient with his workload, but the five targets marks just the third time in 2021 that Akins drew more than two targets in a game, and his usage Sunday was possibly boosted by the absence of starting tight end Pharaoh Brown (thigh). Not just that, but rookie fifth-round pick Brevin Jordan saw four targets of his own and caught three for 41 yards and one touchdown. Jordan is the same type of tight end as Akins -- a slightly undersized pass-catching specialist -- so if Jordan should emerge further it could occur at Akins' expense. The Texans face Miami in Week 9.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Collins - Makes four receptions Collins caught four receptions for 55 yards on four targets against the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Collins was very efficient with his four targets and his 55 yards were the second-highest on the team behind WR1 Brandin Cooks (six receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown on six targets), but it would have been nice to see him draw more than four targets on a day where the Texans attempted 39 pass attempts. Still, the rookie third-round pick is quietly playing well over the last three weeks, catching 10 of 15 targets in that span for 127 yards. He's making a credible push for the WR2 role behind Cooks, but Collins still needs to shake Chris Conley and Danny Amendola to establish himself to that extent.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rapid Reactions: Texans end scoring drought late in 38-22 loss to Rams The Houston Texans ended their 12-quarter touchdown drought with three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter in a lopsided loss t...

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Rex Burkhead - Leads backfield Burkhead ran for 21 yards and one touchdown on four carries and caught three receptions for 27 yards on four targets against the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Following the trade of Mark Ingram it was assumed that David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay would play more, but instead they both saw demotions Sunday as Burkhead and Scottie Phillips (five carries for 11 yards, two receptions for nine yards on three targets) played more. It's not clear whether the game flow affected the workload distribution -- the Texans fell far behind early and that may have affected their personnel decisions -- but in the meantime there's reason to assume Burkhead will be much more involved than before the Ingram trade. It's a bleak backfield overall, unfortunately, and it's difficult to know what to expect as the Texans head to Miami in Week 9.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Highlights: Rams QB Matthew Stafford's best throws vs. Texans in Week 8 matchup Watch Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford's best throws vs. the Houston Texans in Week 8 at NRG Stadium.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Davis Mills - Three hundred-yard mark Mills completed 29 of 38 pass attempts for 310 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Rams on Sunday.

Impact It wasn't the cleanest game for Mills -- a lot of his production could be described as the 'garbage time' sort and he withstood a lot of pressure (five sacks, nine quarterback hits), but he deserves credit for keeping his composure through the struggles and fighting for gains late in the game. His numbers from Sunday raise his box score on the year to 1,357 passing yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions (67 percent completed, 6.5 yards per attempt) and could give the Texans more to think about with Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) nearing his return to the field. Taylor's production was much cleaner in his two starts before injury, so the question of which starts could come down to whether the Texans want to play competitively (Taylor) or evaluate prospects for the future (Mills). Houston in any case heads to Miami in Week 9.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Highlights: Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr.'s best plays from his 93-yard game in Week 8 vs. Texans at NRG Stadium Watch Los Angeles Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr.'s best plays from his 93-yard game in the Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Brandin Cooks - Productive against former team Cooks caught six receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown on six targets against the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Cooks continues to produce well despite the poor overall health of the Houston offense, and now he's up to 51 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets in eight games. For Cooks to be on pace for triple-digit catches in an offense like Houston's is a convincing testament to his talent. There have been no reported trade developments for Cooks with the trade deadline arriving Tuesday, but by now he's proven the ability to produce for fantasy investors even if he stays in Houston. The Texans hit the road to face Miami in Week 9.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Victory Speech: Rams LB Ernest Jones & Sean McVay get game balls after Week 8 win vs. Texans Los Angeles Rams LB Ernest Jones & head coach Sean McVay get the game balls after the Week 8 win vs. Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Rams vs. Texans highlights ' Week 8 Watch highlights from the Week 8 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Houston Texans.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • NFL.COM