Texans Face 49ers Without Top Receivers in Week 8 Showdown

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Texans are set to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium. The Texans, struggling in their 2025 season, will be without key wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk.

Collins suffered a concussion in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks and has been ruled out, while Kirk has yet to recover from his hamstring injury, missing practice all week. Their absence leaves the Texans’ receiving corps thin, relying more heavily on rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, as well as third-year player Xavier Hutchinson.

Texans General Manager Nick Caserio expressed confidence in the younger players, noting their progress and effort. “Overall, good group. Got a good attitude. Made progress each week,” he said, referring to Noel’s strong performance against the Seahawks, where he recorded four catches for 77 yards.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are entering the game with a 5-2 record despite injuries to key defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. They have managed to perform well without their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, leading to speculation about the pressure on backup Mac Jones.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has faced scrutiny over the team’s discipline and execution, pushing for improvement in practice. The Texans hope their defensive strategy, which includes targeting the 49ers’ quarterback, will lead them to a victory.

Kickoff between the Texans and 49ers is scheduled for noon CT. Fans are eager to see how the team adapts to the challenges posed by key injuries.