This week, the Buffalo Bills will travel to the Lone Star State amid uncertainty about who the Houston Texans will start at quarterback. Incumbent starting quarterback CJ Stroud has been absent from practices due to failing to clear the NFL's concussion protocol.
He has not practiced since the team lost to the Denver Broncos in Week 9. This is the second concussion he has faced since his rookie year. If he can't go, we will see signal-caller Davis Mills. The talented backup has won two games in a row with the team.
Whether it's Stroud or Mills starting at QB, Bills defense needs to play hard and not slow down
These four defensive players need to bring their A-games to stop the Texans in their tracks and show them they mean business.
1. DE Greg Rousseau
Defensive end Greg Rousseau has been enjoying a prosperous 2025 in the first year of his four-year, $80 million contract extension he signed back in free agency. At 6 feet, 6 inches, 266 pounds, Rousseau is a big, strong pass rusher with quick feet and plays with a toughness that makes him hard to play against.
He will have to keep getting his hands dirty, as he is a physical tackler in the run game, with speed and power. So either way, No. 50 of the Bills will have to be ready and stay mentally prepared for a tough road test in primetime.
2. DE AJ Epenesa
With defensive end AJ Epenesa being the busy body of the Bills' pass rush, he has been the ideal pair on the other end of the pass rush. At 6 feet, 6 inches, 260 pounds, the former Iowa Hawkeye has X-ray eyes when getting to opposing quarterbacks.
Epenesa must be the secret weapon in case Rousseau is off for the night or gets injured, as he is a team leader and always very supportive of Rousseau whenever he makes a game-changing play.
3. DT TJ Sanders
While so far, it just hasn't been meant to be this year for defensive tackle TJ Sanders. The skilled athlete has a great opportunity at the end of the year to make flashes that will have him lined up for a better 2026. At 6 feet, 4 inches, 297 pounds, Sanders has the NFL athleticism and power moves to be a punishing run-stopper for years to come.
Sanders' issue this year was that it was supposed to be a redshirt year, where he was to sit back and learn from some of the other talented players on the D-line. Instead, injuries piled up, which thrust him into action a bit too early.
Then, his own set of injuries occurred when he was put on IR after having surgery, which set back the progress he was making in 2025. Last week was his first game back from injury, and he was back to getting his feet wet on the field again.
This week, he has a chance to produce more and find his way into stopping Houston running back Nick Chubb in his tracks.
4. DT DaQuan Jones
Since joining the Bills, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones has been a consistent run-stopper, thanks to his large frame and incredible athleticism. At 6 feet, 4 inches, 320 pounds, he is a big man with powerful inside moves to bring a ball carrier down and make the crucial tackles.
Jones had been out since suffering a calf injury he obtained during warmups during a MNF game against the Atlanta Falcons, but then he returned to the lineup in Week 10 in the loss at the Miami Dolphins.
He ended up making the play of the game against Tampa Bay when he brought down quarterback Baker Mayfield, forcing a fumble recovery by linebacker Dorian Williams.
Hopefully, history will repeat itself, and he will make a punishing hit again this week against whoever the quarterback is for Houston on Thursday Night Football.