DeMeco Ryans sounds off after Texans fail to acquire star at trade deadline

Megan Armstrong

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DeMeco Ryans sounds off after Texans fail to acquire star at trade deadline image

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The Houston Texans traded running back Cam Akers to Minnesota and defensive lineman Khalil Davis to San Francisco before Tuesday's (Nov. 5) NFL trade deadline. 

And that was that.

On paper, the 6-3 Texans had no reason to panic and become buyers. In Week 8, Houston completed a season sweep of 4-5 Indianapolis — the only team with even an outside chance of stealing the AFC South from the Texans. Still, there was widespread belief that Houston should be aggressive at the deadline due to relentless injuries.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans set the record straight.

"We have the guys we have," Ryans said, according to Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander. "Everybody thinks the trade deadline comes, and you're just going to find this guy that saves your team. I don't see it that way. Transactions were made across the league. And there has to be two parties available to do a trade."

Ryans continued, "Everybody is antsy about trades. It's not just us going and taking somebody from another team. People have to be available, and the trade has to be on good terms for everyone. I know everybody is in an uproar about us trading at the deadline. It's not from a lack of us working to get our team better and improve our team. But there's no savior to come save our team, and there has to be two parties involved."

The offensive line and wide receiver were two clear areas of need for the Texans.

Second-year quarterback and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud has been sacked 30 times through nine weeks. Houston lost left guard Kenyon Green to a shoulder injury during last Thursday's 21-13 loss to the New York Jets, but the team must be comfortable moving forward with Kendrick Green at left guard. In-season offensive line trades are rare, despite Minnesota acquiring left tackle Cam Robinson from Jacksonville. The Texans didn't completely wave the white flag better protecting Stroud; they worked out free agent offensive tackle La'el Collins before claiming former New England offensive tackle Zachary Thomas off waivers.

Houston acquiring a wide receiver seemed inevitable, given the high volume of wide receiver trades this year. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8. Wide receiver Nico Collins' hamstring landed him on injured reserve in Week 5. He could return for Houston's Sunday Night Football date with Detroit this Sunday, but he was not spotted at practice on Thursday, November 7.

The defense is also struggling with injuries. Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. did not practice on Wednesday, November 6, due to an ankle injury suffered against the Jets. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) have been sidelined for weeks but were limited in Wednesday's practice.

The Texans could desperately use a bye week to get healthy, but they have to wait until Week 14. Before then, Houston will host 7-1 Detroit in Week 10, visit 3-5 Dallas in Week 11, host 2-6 Tennessee in Week 12, and host 2-7 Jacksonville in Week 13.

In other words, Houston is still firmly in control of its postseason destiny — injuries and all.

Megan Armstrong

Megan Armstrong is a freelance writer from Kansas City, Missouri, who loved the Kansas City Chiefs before Taylor Swift showed up. Now, she admires every team for constantly finding absurdly unique ways to be fascinating. After graduating from the University of Missouri, her work has appeared across digital, print, and podcast spaces, such as Billboard, Bleacher Report, GQ, GRAMMY.com, Esquire, MTV, The Kansas City Star, UPROXX and more.