Texans try to ‘lock in’ with Trevor Lawrence, Jags next | National

A week after a demoralizing loss to the Tennessee Titans, the AFC South-leading Houston Texans could have the perfect opportunity to restart on Sunday against the host Jacksonville Jaguars. Then again, maybe not. What matters, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said, is whether the Texans (7-5) are “locked in” and able to make a push in December. “I just look at it as focusing intensely on your job and being where you’re supposed to be and doing the little details of your job,” Ryans said. “It all comes down to little, tiny details that if you don’t do them right, you take advantage of them and teams find them and make you pay.” And a lot of the things I’ve talked to our guys about are things that we can control.” Jacksonville (2-9), bottom of the AFC South, is coming off a humiliating 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. It was the fourth straight setback for the Jaguars, who had lost their last three games by a combined 13 points. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson noted that changes are coming. Although he chose not to go into the full details, there are things in the running game that we need to get done. “Back to it,” Pederson said. “Even in the passing game, I tweaked some things there. “There are things that can hopefully help our production over the last six weeks.” One of those changes is the return of starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has been out since Nov. 3 due to a Left shoulder injury prevented him from playing. Doug Pederson confirmed on Friday that Lawrence will be the QB1, although he is listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week, he also had his eye on Houston quarterback CJ Stroud, who is in his second season had some trouble throwing interceptions in 12 games (all starts) after throwing just five as a rookie. In the 32:27 setback against Tennessee, he also threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 20:33 passes. However, the 23-year-old can hurt the Jaguars. “Playing the quarterback position is hard,” Pederson said. I’m sure there was an injury, the guys missed (time). From time to time he misses his playmakers. And then there is the film. The film is out there.” The Texans have lost three of their last four games and four of their last six as Stroud continues to struggle on defense. For the Texans, safety Jalen Pitre is expected to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot) will miss Sunday’s game after not practicing all week, but defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and Denico Autry (knee) were among those returning to full practice Friday have returned and will continue to play Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) has not practiced all week and will not play on Sunday. Cornerback Tyson Campbell (shoulder) was not between teams all week due to injury Sunday. The Texans defeated Jacksonville 24-20 on September 29th. –Field Level Media