Houston Texans rule out Kareem Jackson
Pierre Thomas (23) is pursued by Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) on a 51-yard touchdown reception at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson was inactive for last week’s game against the Oakland Raiders after being a game-time decision, and the Texans have decided to rule out Jackson sooner this week. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak stated that Jackson will not play in this week’s divisional game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His absence is more “good news” for the Jaguars than it is “bad news” for the Texans. Although Jackson is a good No. 2 corner and a key starter for the Texans, they don’t need him that much this week against a thin Jaguars wide receiver corps. Cecil Shorts is the No. 1 priority for the Texans to stop, and he’ll almost certainly be shadowed by star cornerback Jonathan Joseph throughout the game. It’s Joseph’s job to stop one of the best receivers in the game, and Shorts is clearly determined to have a big game after rightfully complaining about a ridiculous lack of targets over the past two games. The Jaguars have responded positively to Shorts’s qualms, so expect to see a lot of Chad Henne’s passes sent in the star receiver’s direction.
As for the current Texans No. 2 CB with Jackson ruled out, Brandon Harris will hope to do a solid job against whichever mediocre player lines up against him. The Texans don’t have much CB depth with Jackson out, but they have more depth there than the Jaguars do at WR right now. Expect this game to go to the Texans, and I think we’ll see Jackson back out there for next week’s half-court-shot-upset-attempt against the New England Patriots.