Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans earned their first victory of the 2025 regular season in Week 4, and their path to another win got a lot easier, too, with the Baltimore Ravens on deck in Week 5.
Houston appeared to tap into what works with quarterback C.J. Stroud.
However, it is the news coming out of Baltimore that looms as the most significant factor in the Texans’ fortuitous outlook.
Texans Get Good News About Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
GettyLamar Jackson #8 and Cooper Rush #15 of the Baltimore Ravens sit on the bench against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury that knocked him out of the Ravens’ 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh underscored the severity of the injury by noting Jackson did not return to the game, which is a good sign for the Texans.
“#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is likely to miss Sunday’s game vs #Texans with a hamstring injury, per sources,” the Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker reported on X on September 30.
“That would mean #Texans top-ranked scoring defense, fifth in total defense, to face backup quarterback Cooper Rush on Sunday at #Ravens #NFLWeek5,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X in reaction to the news.
Rush, 31, is 9-5 in his career as a starter with a 3,515-20-10 career line on 69.2% completion.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted that the news has “huge impact” on the game, citing Harbaugh’s comments on Jackson’s status during last week’s outing.
Texans to Dodge MVP as Lamar Jackson Set to Miss Week 5
GettyLamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jackson has a noteworthy injury history, but his dynamic ability on the field is why he is a two-time MVP and why the Texans are fortunate that the Ravens star is sidelined. The Ravens rank 13th in total offense, but the group is third in the NFL in scoring through four weeks.
Jackson has thrown for 869 yards, a league-leading 10 touchdowns, and 1 interception while completing 71.6% of his passes (also a career best) this season.
He has taken 15 sacks in four outings, which also would have been promising for the Texans.
“There was no way he was going to go back in the game,” Harbaugh told reporters on September 29. The injury precluded it. As you know, during the game, you really just – you’re playing the next series as a coach. But there was no way he could go back in the game. I know Lamar, know the way I know Lamar. If he could have gone in the game, he would have been in the game. That’s how Lamar – that’s how he is. So, but I can assure you that he would not have been able to go back in the game under any circumstance.”
Jackson, who is on a five-year, $260 million contract, has only missed multiple games in two of his eight seasons in the NFL. He appears set to make it a third this season, starting with Week 5 at home against Stroud and the Texans.
The Ravens will also be without All-Pro defensive tackles Nnamdi Madabuike and Broderick Washington, both of whom are on injured reserve, which is another factor in the Texans’ favor.
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