Texans WR Noah Brown Placed On Injured Reserve
Noah Brown's first season with the Houston Texans is over.
The Texans are placing Brown on the injured reserve list, ending his season. Brown signed a one-year contract with Houston following six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brown suffered a shoulder injury during the first quarter of Houston's 45-14 wild-card round victory over the Cleveland Browns Saturday at NRG Stadium and did not return.
During the opening series, quarterback C.J. Stroud tried to connect with Brown on a third-and-9 play to secure the first down. Brown collided with a pair of Cleveland defenders, leading to a Cameron Johnston punt.
Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (85) makes a catch against the Cleveland Browns in the second half at NRG Stadium.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Brown remained on the ground for several moments before eventually returning to the sidelines. He entered the medical tent for further evaluation.
Brown was limited in practice leading up to Houston's playoff matchup after suffering a back injury in Week 17's victory over the Tennessee Titans. He was inactive in the playoff-clinching win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 18.
In 10 games, Brown recorded 33 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns. His best game came against the Bengals in Week 9 where he hauled in seven passes for 172 yards.
With Brown out for the remainder of the postseason, the Texans must turn to John Metchie and rookie Xavier Hutchinson as the No. 3 receiver. Houston could also run a double tight end look with Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan opposite Nico Collins and Robert Woods.
Against the Browns, Jordan scored a 76-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the longest score in Texans' playoff history. Metchie hauled in three passes for 44 yards, including a gain of 27 that set up a Collins' 15-yard touchdown. Schultz scored just before halftime on a 37-yard pass from Stroud.
Stroud became the fourth rookie passer in postseason history to throw for 200-plus yards and three touchdowns in a playoff game, joining Sammy Baugh, Dak Prescott, and Brock Purdy. The favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Stroud became the first rookie quarterback since Mark Sanchez in 2009 to win a playoff game. He also became the youngest passer since Michael Vick (22) in 2002 to secure a postseason victory.
“It’s been a heck of a year and I thank God, I can just go another week with my teammates,” Stroud said. “This is like a dream come true.”
The Texans await the results of Monday's playoff game to determine where they'll travel for the divisional round. Should the Pittsburgh Steelers pull off the upset, Houston will travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs.
Should the Buffalo Bills secure the win, the Texans will head to Baltimore to face the top-seeded Ravens.
