49ers Suffer Fourth Loss To Texans Amid Defensive Struggles

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans, hampered by multiple injuries that depleted their defensive line and offensive tackles, severely limiting their ability to generate a pass rush and protect the quarterback. Backup quarterback Mac Jones, starting due to Brock Purdy's turf toe injury, struggled under pressure from Houston's defensive edges, Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, who dominated the offensive tackles. The Texans, led by coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud, capitalized on the Niners' vulnerabilities, controlling the game with 475 yards of offense and a defense that allowed few yards themselves. The 49ers' injury woes extend beyond their star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, affecting depth players and contributing to their current 5-3 season record. Analysts emphasize the critical need for the 49ers to address their offensive tackle position early in the draft to prevent such mismatches against elite pass rushers in future playoff runs. Despite the setbacks, the team remains in contention, but must strengthen their offensive line and defensive depth to maintain their Super Bowl aspirations.