The Texans defense lost two starters before halftime against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
Johnathan Joseph exited the game with an ankle injury and did not return. In the first quarter, Joseph appeared to get with friendly fire with teammate Jadeveon Clowney while making a tackle. Rookie Natrell Jamerson entered the game for Joseph.
"Yup, young guy, was released by the Saints, we went and picked him up, kind of a safety/corner combination, looked like he got beat on a couple plays tonight, but then he made some plays," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "So, hopefully when we watch the film, we can continue to work with him and get him to keep improving. It looked like he made some plays tonight."
Zach Cunningham injured his ankle during a third-down stop on Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake late in the first quarter. The second-year starting inside linebacker finished with two tackles before begin replaced by Josh Keyes, now in his fourth NFL season and first with Houston.
"Josh Keyes, I mean that's the NFL," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "You sign a guy on what, Tuesday? Plays in the Thursday game – or Sunday, Monday whatever it was, plays in the Thursday game. That's the National Football League. He was out there, I think he was local, he was a guy that really was close to making our team, played hard, tough guy, special teams, loves his role, good speed, so he was the guy that we went and got."
Joseph is the fifth cornerback injured through the Texans' first eight games season, in addition to Kevin Johnson, Aaron Colvin, Kayvon Webster and Shareece Wright. Joseph is set to undergo an MRI on Friday to find out the full extent of his injury.
Prepped and ready to go. The Houston Texans are ready to take on the Miami Dolphins for Thursday Night Football.
