Kyler Murray isn’t an unknown but he’s in an unknown situation.

He’s played just one game this season, showcasing some of the dynamic elements of his game like his incredible mobility and speed.

Murray is in uncharted territory for him and with this new part of his career, it is a hard situation to plan for this weekend when he visits NRG Stadium.

I don’t know what to expect from Kyler Murray. He accounted for less than 300 total yards of offense and one touchdown in his return to football last week. He’s got a new offense, a new coordinator, and a bunch of new teammates who aren’t nearly as talented as the last time he played for the Cardinals.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans has plenty of respect for Murray.

“You talk about an explosive, dynamic playmaker at the quarterback position, one of the premier athletes in the NFL right now,” Ryans said. “[He] does a really good job passing the football, but as we all know, him with his scramble ability – that’s what won them the game this past week.”

How do you try to stop a player like that?

“So, it’s going to take everybody to get him down,” Ryans said. “We have to be tight in coverage and we have to, as we say, we have to cover him twice. We’ve got to rush twice. We have to stay after him because he’s going to continue to keep plays alive – that’s where he’s thrived in the league – extending plays.”

The Texans will be down linebacker Denzel Perryman as he is suspended. Henry To’oTo’o is still out of practice with a concussion. Jake Hansen who could help at linebacker missed practice this week as well too. Jimmie Ward, a veteran who has played against Murray before, is also a question for Sunday.

Mobile quarterbacks have given the Texans a tough time. The four losses this year have come against starters who have some level of mobility to them. Lamar Jackson, initially Anthony Richardson, and to a lesser extent Desmond Ridder and Bryce Young all have a little mobility.

None quite like Kyler Murray though. DeMeco Ryans said the speed of Murray is what separates him from other mobile and rushing quarterbacks.

“He has to be the fastest quarterback in the NFL,” he said. “The speed is real, and when he’s healthy, it’s a problem. He has the ability – most guys they step up in the pocket – but he has that ability to retreat back in the pocket and still circle the defense. You talk about elusiveness, you talk about the speed – just a dynamic athlete.”

Murray and running back James Conner are the offense. Conner is in the midst of his most effective rushing stretch since his Pro Bowl season in Pittsburgh. If the Texans slow down Murray, they should be able to handle Conner as well.

Stop Murray, and win the game. Sounds simple, isn’t easy.

Denzel Perryman Suspension Reduced

Linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended for just two games instead of the initial three after his appeal. The independent arbitrator decreased the suspension.

I didn’t feel like Perryman should have been suspended. The NFL used his history against him. I wonder if Perryman knew he could or would be suspended if he had another unnecessary roughness penalty.

The Texans could have used him this weekend, but he will return for the matchup with the Denver Broncos.

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Deshaun Watson’s Season is Over

The Cleveland Browns have had little success and mostly misery with Deshaun Watson and it continues with the announcement Wednesday that his season is over and he is having shoulder surgery.

The Browns currently sit in the sixth spot in the AFC playoff picture. They also have a Christmas Eve matchup with the Texans. This bodes well in keeping Cleveland from being a true playoff contender.

Sure, their defense is very good, but they have to score at some point.

Oh, and the Texans have the first round pick of the Browns next year. I did a deep breakdown of it on my YouTube channel.