Texans, Titans Face Must-Win Week 4

Both the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans enter Week 4 at 0-3, making Sunday's divisional game pivotal. Tennessee is on a nine-game regular-season losing streak since its last win — a Nov. 24, 2024 victory over Houston — and coach Brian Callahan has handed offensive play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree amid criticism. Rookie QB Cam Ward has shown competence but has not yet produced a win, increasing pressure to avoid an 0-4 start (no 0-4 team has reached the playoffs since the 1992 Chargers). Houston’s defense remains shorthanded: All‑Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has missed multiple practices with a lingering oblique injury and is considered doubtful for Sunday, with Tremon Smith expected to start in his place. Right tackle Tytus Howard returned to practice, wide receiver Nico Collins is expected to play, and the Texans’ secondary is further weakened by the recent release of safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson.