Just like the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans began their trip to London on Thursday but left five players at home in the process. Those players were cornerbacks Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Bradley Roby, safety Tashaun Gipson Sr., offensive lineman Greg Mancz, and receiver Will Fuller V.
Of the group, there are several notables worth mentioning, but their secondary especially appears to be battered as Roby starts at one cornerback position. According to the team’s unofficial depth chart, that means Gareon Conley, who just joined the team a week ago via trade, will be thrust into the lineup. According to Pro Football Focus, his grade (54.2) isn’t quite as high as Roby’s (67.1), so there could be opportunities for Dede Westbrook and DJ Chark to have a bigger impact than they did in Week 2’s meeting.
Johnson is another player who is high on the team’s depth chart and he’s been a big contributor for Houston. Some may remember him for the success he had covering Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who was held to his second-lowest receiving stats of the season (six receptions for 58 receiving yards) in the Texans’ 31-24 victory over them.
Gipson, who most will remember from his time as a Jaguars starter, will miss his second consecutive game with wrist and back injuries. Former San Diego/ Los Angeles Chargers safety, Jahleel Addae, will be called on to start in his place, however, his PFF score of 49.7 is even lower than Conley’s, which again, might not be a good thing with Gardner Minshew II and the Jags’ passing threats being on fire.
Lastly, the absence of Fuller on offense could help the Jags in a big way with their secondary being without Jalen Ramsey (who trailed DeAndre Hopkins) and the potential of their best member of the secondary, DJ Hayden, set to possibly miss Sunday’s game. With 450 yards and three touchdowns to his name, Fuller is the Texans’ No. 2 leading receiver and having him stay on U.S. soil means the Jags will have one less speedy and versatile problem to deal with.
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