Report: Texans Have Checked on Running Backs and Safeties. Should They Buy?

Texans safety Reed Blankenship in his No. 6 practice jersey.

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Should the Texans be buying or selling at the trade deadline? At 2–5, one would presume that Sunday’s game against the Chargers tips Houston one way or the other. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Texans have checked in on available running backs and safeties. Both positions make sense, especially with the deadline coming Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT. Breer’s report · NFL calendar

Reed Blankenship was struggling before the concussion and hand injury, and M.J. Stewart has stepped in without looking like a clear upgrade. The backfield has its own mix of health and performance issues. David Montgomery missed Wednesday and Thursday practices with a groin injury and is expected to be out for the game, as is Blankenship, and Houston is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Woody Marks is at 3.5, and Montgomery is at 2.6. There’s room to improve at both spots. Injury report · Team stats

A win gets Houston to 3–5 and makes a modest addition easier to justify. A loss drops them to 2–6 and makes me wonder if they’d listen to offers for veterans or simply hold their picks. Either way, I’m skeptical they’ll take a big long-term swing at safety or running back. Sunday could change how urgently they shop. The player and the price still have to make sense beyond this week.