HOUSTON — The Dallas Cowboys play the winless Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. available for his first game in Dallas and two more defensive backs elevated from the practice squad.
Kickoff is set for noon CT on Fox, with the radio call on 105.3 The Fan. Dallas is 1-2 after a 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro. Houston is 0-3 and lost to the Indianapolis Colts last week.
The Texans are favored by three points at DraftKings Sportsbook, according to Sports Illustrated. Dallas leads the all-time series 4-3, and Houston won the last meeting 34-10 at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 18, 2024.
Brian Schottenheimer Says Texans Are Not An 0-3 Team
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that Dallas does not see Houston as an 0-3 team. He described the Texans’ attacking front as the San Francisco style that Texans coach DeMeco Ryans brought with him.
“Yeah, I mean, this is historical defense last year. I mean, that’s what they are, and we don’t see this team as an 0-3 team. I know that’s what their record is, but we don’t see them as that, just like I don’t think we’re a one and two team based on the way we can perform,” Schottenheimer said. “But I mean they’re really good at what they do. We’re going to know where they’re going to be. It’s the attack front, which we’re all familiar with. It’s that San Francisco mindset, with DeMeco coming from San Francisco, that a lot of teams run.”
“The penetration and the way they try to win the line of scrimmage is by knocking people back. I think that’s what frees up their linebackers to be free in the hole,” Schottenheimer continued. “We’ll be tested at all three levels.”
Will Anderson Jr. Leads The Texans Front Facing Dak Prescott
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. practiced fully Thursday and Friday after an ankle injury and carries no designation. Schottenheimer said Wednesday that Anderson’s motor separates him and that Houston moves him all over the line.
“The motor, the athleticism, elite rusher. You package him with Danielle Hunter, just two bookends that are outstanding. But the motor of Will Anderson, I mean, both guys, but you asked me about Will, it’s unique. The guy doesn’t stop,” Schottenheimer said. “They move him around. They put him in different spots. He’s an elite rusher. He can beat you with speed. He can beat you with power. They move him around quite a bit, so you kind of got to have your focus looking for him because he’ll be over the center, on the right, on the left, over the guard.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott has completed 73 of 105 passes for 730 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has gone over 100 receiving yards in back-to-back games, and running back Javonte Williams ran for 98 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in Rio.
Houston gets wide receiver Nico Collins back after he missed two games with a hamstring injury. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been without him since Week 1, when Collins caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, according to Texans On SI.
“Yeah, again, I think he’s very, very talented. That’s why he was such a high draft pick. He hasn’t had Nico Collins for a little while and is missing some pieces. Dalton Schultz is doing what Dalton does, making plays,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday of Stroud. “But, again, he’s a guy that can get hot in a hurry, and we’ve got to try to make him uncomfortable.”
The Texans ruled out linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair with a groin injury and safety M.J. Stewart with a knee injury. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end Logan Hall, linebacker Jake Hansen, and guard Ed Ingram are questionable. Houston also elevated former Cowboys linebacker Kenneth Murray from its practice squad Saturday.
Dallas ruled out linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Cobie Durant with hamstring injuries. Safety Malik Hooker and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. practiced fully Friday and carry no designation. The Cowboys elevated safety Juanyeh Thomas and cornerback Reddy Steward on Saturday.
Dallas acquired Porter from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday night for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Chief operating officer Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan after Friday’s practice that the team expects Porter to get snaps, Inside The Star reported.
The Cowboys return home on a short week to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Oct. 8.
