The Houston Texans garnered attention before taking on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, making some last-minute tweaks to their roster. Among the most notable were decisions on recent draft picks linebacker Christian Harris and running back Dameon Pierce.
Harris was a third-round pick (No. 75 overall) by the Texans in the 2022 draft. The Texans selected Pierce with the 107th overall pick in the same class.
The draft classmates have been on opposite trajectories, a trend that continued Sunday.
Texans LB Christian Harris Trended Toward Inactivity
GettyTrevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts against Christian Harris #48 of the Houston Texans.
The Texans first garnered additional attention before the Ravens game, making linebacker Christian Harris inactive. KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson noted on X that Harris is healthy. Harris has not started this season, but he has held down a role on both defense and special teams.
However, Harris’ deactivation for Week 5 is not necessarily surprising.
“Christian Harris among the inactives,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted on X in reaction. “It seemed to be trending in that direction with his snaps decreasing.”
“#Texans LB Christian Harris is a healthy scratch against the #Ravens,” the Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren posted. “He’s played just 34 snaps on defense through 4 games.”
Harris has 3 total tackles through four games.
He peaked with 17 defensive snaps in Week 2, but Harris has logged 8 or fewer snaps in each of the Texans’ other three games this season, per Pro Football Reference. Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’o To’o man the top spots.
Dameon Pierce Back in Action
GettyDameon Pierce #31 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
Pierce rushed for 939 yards and 4 touchdowns as a rookie, adding another 165 yards and 1 TD on 30 receptions for the Texans that season. However, his role has been in steady decline ever since, while the team had seemingly moved on in spirit.
The Texans acquired Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals. He is sidelined with a mysterious foot injury, but the Texans added Nick Chubb to the roster in free agency this past offseason.
They also drafted Woody Marks in the fourth round (No. 116 overall) of the 2025 draft.
Since that 2022 campaign, Pierce has a 188-714-4 line across two-plus seasons. He has been mired in trade rumors, but could find himself positioned to potentially assume backup duties from Chubb, whom Marks outgained in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.
Texans, Ravens Missing Noteworthy Names
GettyTrent Brown #77 of the Las Vegas Raiders wears a face mask featuring a raised fist design during warmups before facing the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans also made waves with news that recently re-signed offensive lineman Trent Brown would not play against the Ravens.
#Texans T Trent Brown (not injury related) will not travel with the team to Baltimore and has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Ravens,” the Texans announced in a post on X on October 4.
Wide receiver Braxton Berrios’ inactivity is also noteworthy for DeMeco Ryans and the Texans.
However, it pales in comparison to the sheer volume of names, let alone the players themselves, that the Ravens will miss in this contest.
In addition to quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens will be without defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, linebacker Roquan Smith, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, and safety Kyle Hamilton against the Texans.
The Texans have a tremendous opportunity to stack wins against this version of the Ravens.
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