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Banged-up Texans secondary delivers

After losing three cornerbacks in just five games, the Texans secondary has stepped up and made big plays.

Led by Kareem Jackson, who has come up with dramatic interceptions in Houston's last two wins against Dallas and Buffalo, the defensive backfield has overcome adversity and shined. Jackson's versatility at both safety and cornerback has allowed the Texans to utilize him as needed when injuries have occurred.

"Yeah, he's having a good year," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's been a very productive player, very versatile player, smart, can do different things, like you said. He can play safety, he can play nickel, he can play on the outside, has made big plays for us, he's made plays on the ball which are important. He had a good game yesterday,"

On Sunday, Johnathan Joseph picked off Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman and scored the game-winning touchdown, but overall also played a "great game," according to O'Brien. Joseph has played opposite Kevin Johnson, Aaron Colvin and now Shareece Wright. Johnson is currently on injured reserve after incurring back-to-back concussions in the preseason and in Week 1 of the regular season. Colvin started two games before an ankle injury kept him inactive in Weeks 5 and 6. Kayvon Webster, now on IR, injured his quadriceps in his first game back from a torn Achilles in 2017.

Wright, an eight-year veteran signed by Houston on Sept. 12, made his first start as a Texan in Sunday's 20-13 win over Buffalo.

"These guys, you bring in a guy like Shareece Wright, good pro, really has brought a lot of experience to the position," O'Brien said. "Johnathan Joseph's done a great job of taking care of his body from a week-to-week basis and being ready to go. Kareem Jackson, we talked about. Then there's guys like Johnson Bademosi that have really helped us on special teams. So, it's been good. It's been a collective effort and hopefully it continues – the health especially. Because if those guys stay healthy, that's a good thing."

O'Brien has not ruled out that Colvin, still on the active roster, and Johnson could return to the lineup again this season.

"Sure," O'Brien said. "Yeah, there's a chance. Yep, there's a chance."

The (3-3) Texans will travel to Jacksonville to face the (3-3) Jaguars on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 12 noon CT on CBS and SportsRadio 610.

The Houston Texans defeated the Buffalo Bills Week 6 of the 2018 NFL Season.

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