Texans appear to be having star-crossed year

The Houston Texans were one of the trendy picks this season to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. While the New England Patriots were and perhaps still are the overwhelming favorite to reach their eighth Super Bowl since 2001, the Texans were one of the few squads thought able to dethrone the reigning champs, mostly due to a great defense and experience.

However, after the Texans were beaten 29-7 at NRG Stadium by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, thing began to shift for any pundits. Houston seemed to have panicked within the game with head coach Bill O’Brien deciding to bench Tom Savage at halftime in favor of rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson. While Savage is certainly not a great player, he won the battle over the course of four months. For O’Brien to change course so easily was alarming.

Now, Savage’s agent, Neil Schwartz, is speaking out. Schwartz is perplexed with the move to sit his client, especially considering he has four years in the system — and league — while Watson has only been with the Texans since the draft. Per ESPN:

“I’m still trying to figure this out … 31 plays and you’re getting benched?” Schwartz said in an interview with NBC Sports. “It makes no sense.”

In addition, the team listed 21 players on its initial injury report this week and has already listed seven as out. This doesn’t even include tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and left tackle Duane Brown, who are respectively on Injured Reserve (concussion) and holding out for a new deal.

Even worse, Houston will now be without inside linebacker Brian Cushing for the next 10 games after it was announced on Wednesday that he would be suspended for a second violation of the league’s steroid policy. Cushing, who was banned for four games after testing positive in 2010, is one of the team’s leaders and better players, leaving a considerable hole in the middle of the defense. Again, per ESPN:

In a statement, Cushing’s lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said the veteran linebacker “is aware of the negative impact he has had on his team and most important his fans. It is with the deepest remorse that he humbly apologizes to his fans, teammates and coaches.”

Houston is already 0-1 and now plays a Thursday night game on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has more talent, fewer injuries and considerable desperation after also losing in Week 1.

The Texans schedule doesn’t get any easier after this. Even though they get 10 days off before their third game, it’s against the Patriots in Gillette Stadium. After that? Home dates against the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

Unless something changes quickly, it could be a very long season.