Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans shared some positive news on Monday regarding defensive end Will Anderson Jr. He indicated that Anderson is “trending toward” being ready for the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
When asked about Will Anderson Jr. status, he’s been dealing with an ankle injury, #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he feels good about all of the players. Anderson was running last week and is trending toward playing against #Colts per league sources @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 2, 2024
Anderson battled an ankle injury for most of August, but Ryans noted that he’s been performing well in practice and looks set to participate in Week 1.
Last season, Anderson made a splash as he earned the title of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He tallied 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and even blocked a field goal.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Anderson helped transform the Texans from a struggling 3-13-1 record in 2022 to a successful 10-7 AFC South champion team. Many had written off the Texans as the league’s worst that year.
This turnaround, led by rookie head coach Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (who also secured the Offensive Rookie of the Year title), saw the Texans making an unexpected run to the AFC Divisional Round, although they fell to the Baltimore Ravens.
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Anderson played a pivotal role in elevating the Texans’ defense last season, which climbed from allowing the third-most total yards per game in 2022 to a respectable 14th place. Their points allowed per game also improved, landing them in 11th position.
The real highlight was the remarkable turnaround in run defense. After finishing dead last in 2022 by permitting an average of 170.2 rushing yards per game, the Texans finished the 2023 season with the sixth-best run defense, limiting opponents to just 96.6 yards per game.
Anderson was a crucial part of this defensive improvement, frequently making stops in the backfield. While the defense had some lapses, such as conceding significant rushing yards to players like Lamar Jackson and Jonathan Taylor later in the season, the overall progress was undeniable.
Pursuing Anderson was a strategic move for the Texans, following their selection of Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in 2023. Despite some skepticism over the decision to trade up for Anderson at No. 3, he has proven to be a worthwhile investment.