Dare Ogunbowale kicks it off to start the second half pic.twitter.com/LroDvaNoYz
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 5, 2023
The Houston Texans had to get creative.
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn injured his quad against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday in Week 9 at NRG Stadium. The former Lou Groza Award winner left the game at halftime with the Texans trailing 17-10.
The Texans went with Ogunbowale, who just happened to be activated for Week 9 due to an injury to starting running back Dameon Pierce. If not for the injury to Pierce, the Texans may not have had a reason to activate Ogunbowale, who has consistently been a healthy scratch in 2023.
The last time Fairbairn was hurt in a game was in the 2021 preseason finale incidentally against the Buccaneers at NRG Stadium. Safety Justin Reid handled the kicking duties.
