Jul 30, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) takes a drink of water while warming up during training camp practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Texans S Jalen Pitre to return ‘pretty soon’ from bruised lung

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre continues to progress and should be cleared to return “pretty soon,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday.

Pitre was hospitalized in Baltimore after leaving the 25-9 loss to the Ravens with a bruised lung just before halftime. He was kept overnight for observation and returned to Houston with team medical staff the next day.

Ryans said left tackle Laremy Tunsil returned to practice after dealing with a knee injury and safety Jimmie Ward (hip) was also on the field.

When Pitre can play is not yet determined.

“He’s been leading throughout the week. He’s a special young man. I’m happy to coach him,” Ryans said.

Pitre, 24, was hurt when he took a knee to his chest from Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The 2022 second-round pick led Houston in tackles (147) and interceptions (five) during his rookie season.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans speaks to the media during his introductory press conference as general manager Nick Caserio (right) looks on at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

On the clock: Houston Texans draft preview

When is a rare win a crushing loss? In the case of the Houston Texans, it was a Hail Mary answered that pushed the Chicago Bears to the top spot in the 2023 NFL Draft.

When Houston took down the Colts in the regular-season finale, 32-31, on a last-gasp touchdown pass and the Bears lost the same day, it set the draft order based on the Texans’ better winning percentage.

Whether it costs general manager Nick Caserio and new head coach DeMeco Ryans a shot at their preferred prospect remains a cliffhanger.

The Texans are stuck in rebuilding mode, on their fourth coach in four seasons, and trying to calibrate an offense without a dependable quarterback. Caserio put together a strong draft, spent conservatively on free agents and now focuses on building a young and deep roster in the topsy-turvy AFC South.

An undersized underdog quarterback himself, Caserio watched Alabama’s Bryce Young in person multiple times last season. Ryans was a standout linebacker for the Crimson Tide.

If the tea leaves are pointing to a preferred passer, it’s Young, even at a physical stature that raises concerns. The Carolina Panthers could choose Young at No. 1 after moving up in a deal with the Bears.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the running and was recently compared to Joe Burrow by the Panthers’ coaching staff.

But Ryans also knows from his time as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers the profound benefit of a game-changer outside, and could opt for another Tide prospect — Will Anderson Jr.

TEAM NEEDS
1. QB: Size might not matter as much at quarterback after Jalen Hurts proved his value and carried the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in a unique, custom-built scheme that points to Young being a top 3 pick. Caserio faces pressure with the selection, knowing a miss could ultimately mean starting over with a new front office.

2. Edge: Getting to the quarterback hasn’t been a trick in the Texans’ bag with 71 total sacks the past two seasons. By comparison, the Eagles had 70 sacks in the 2022 regular season.

3. WR: Brandin Cooks was offloaded and Houston doesn’t return a player with more than 48 receptions last season.

2023 DRAFT PICKS
Round Pick (Overall)
1. 2 (2)
1. 12 (12)
2. 2 (33)
3. 2 (65)
3. 10 (73)
4. 2 (104)
5. 2 (138)
5. 26 (161)
6. 11 (188)
6. 24 (201)
6. 26 (203)
7. 13 (230)
7. 42 (259)

BEST FITS
1. QB Bryce Young, Alabama: Instinctive, clutch, cool under pressure, driven, rare leader. The same words used to describe Ryans at Alabama are the high marks on Young’s report. The match is nearly perfect.

2. OLB Lukas Van Ness, Iowa: High-effort, high-motor pass rusher who has a high ceiling and could be available at No. 12 due to a niche role with the Hawkeyes.

3. DE-OLB Andre Carter II, Army: Raw but powerful with upside, Carter projects as a second-round pick because some patience will be required for the grand payoff.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA;  San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans reacts during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Texans hire 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans as head coach

The Houston Texans hired DeMeco Ryans as their head coach Tuesday afternoon, multiple reports said.

The hire was widely expected after the NFL Network and KPRC2 in Houston reported Monday that the Texans planned to finalize a deal with Ryans after a second interview. With Ryans’ San Francisco 49ers losing in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, he was freed up to complete a second interview with Houston, per NFL rules.

The Texans’ official Twitter account posted earlier Tuesday that the team had “completed additional discussions with DeMeco Ryans regarding our head coaching position.”

Ryans, 38, spent the past two seasons as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He was their inside linebackers coach for three seasons before that.

A former linebacker, Ryans spent the first six seasons of his playing career with the Texans, who selected him with the first pick of the second round in the 2006 draft. He was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009.

Ryans also spent 2012-15 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 140 career games (139 starts), Ryans amassed 970 tackles, 13.5 sacks, seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries.

His work with the 49ers’ defense drew plaudits. He assumed the coordinator position after Robert Saleh left the team to take the New York Jets’ head job. The Niners allowed the fewest points (16.3) and yards per game (300.6) in the NFL in 2022 and generated 30 takeaways.

Ryans replaces Lovie Smith, who was the second straight Texans coach to be let go after one season. The Texans went 3-13-1 in 2022 and will pick second in April’s NFL draft.

The 49ers have requested to interview Steve Wilks for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Wilks is under contract with the Carolina Panthers, where he was the defensive coordinator and interim head coach in 2022. Carolina interviewed Wilks for the full-time head coach gig before hiring Frank Reich.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn talks to New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton after a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos Next Coach Odds: Dan Quinn vaults ahead of Sean Payton

The Denver Broncos’ search for Nathaniel Hackett’s replacement promises to be one of the most intriguing during this NFL coaching cycle.

Hackett lasted less than a year in the Mile High City, winding up as the less expensive scapegoat for the Broncos’ 4-11 record to date. Whoever replaces him will be tasked with revitalizing an offense that is last in the league in points scored this season.

Russell Wilson is enduring the worst season of his career. But with Denver committing $245 million to the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback before the start of the season, the 34-year-old quarterback isn’t going anywhere.

So it made sense when SportsBetting.ag installed former Saints coach Sean Payton as the +400 favorite to become the Broncos’ next coach shortly after Hackett was fired on Monday.

However, it’s a defensive coordinator that has since vaulted to favorite status.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, one of three Dallas assistants on the list, opened at +500 but has since shifted to the +100 favorite.

Next Broncos Head Coach Odds
Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator (+100)
Sean Payton, Former Saints coach (+400)
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator (+800)
Frank Reich, former Colts coach (+1000)
Shane Steichen, Eagles offensive coordinator (+1100)
Ejiro Evero, Broncos defensive coordinator (+1200)
Jim Caldwell, former Colts, Lions coach (+1200)
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan coach (+1200)
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator (+1400)
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator (+1600)
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator (+2000)
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys analyst (+2500)
Byron Leftwich, Bucs offensive coordinator (+2500)
Darrell Bevell, Dolphins QBs coach (+2500)
Brian Flores, Steelers LBs coach (+3300)
Peyton Manning, Former Broncos QB (+6600)
Bill Cowher, Former Steelers coach (+7500)

Quinn has previous NFL head coaching experience – something the past three Broncos coaches have lacked – and led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl.

Highly respected in NFL circles, Quinn would no doubt have access to a number of highly qualified offensive coordinators to install an offensive scheme better suited to Wilson’s style.

Payton still has the second-shortest odds. He’s reportedly eyeing a return to the sideline in 2023 and has assembled the majority of his staff, including former Broncos coach Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator.

Reich was fired by the Indianapolis Colts this season and is another candidate who would bring NFL head coaching experience.

Or do the Broncos take another stab at an up-and-coming coordinator?

The list includes 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and current Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

SportsBetting.ag is also having fun with the Broncos’ coaching search, offering odds on several extreme longshots to take the job.

Former Broncos head coaches Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan are being offered at +10000 along with former Super Bowl winning quarterback and team president John Elway. Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe is also being offered at +10000.

Perhaps the most amusing name on the list is Seatttle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at +15000.

Carroll drafted Wilson out of Wisconsin and the two won a Super Bowl together. The Seahawks traded Wilson last offseason after his relationship with Carroll deteriorated over the past several years, and the two have taken subtle jabs at each other since parting ways.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talk on the field during mandatory minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in East Rutherford.

News Giants Mandatory Minicamp

Colts Next Coach Odds: Mike Kafka, Greg Roman early favorites

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to scour the NFL assistant coaching ranks after firing Frank Reich on Monday.

Mike Kafka, who is in his first season as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator, was installed as the +300 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to succeed Reich. He’s favored over Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman (+500).

It has been a rapid rise for Kafka, a former journeyman quarterback and assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs who was given a preseason trial run by new Giants head coach Brian Daboll before being handed the play-calling duties. The Giants rank 24th in the NFL in total offense, but Kafka has been praised for how he has utilized star running back Saquon Barkley and the steady play of quarterback Daniel Jones through eight games.

Kafka, 35, would likely be seen as a big gamble if he were to land a head coaching job after just one season overseeing an NFL offense. Roman, however, has an extensive resume. The 50-year-old is in his 12th season as an NFL offensive coordinator and the Ravens are his third team, following stints with San Francisco and Buffalo.

The next shortest odds belong to Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, who are both being offered at +700.

Moore’s name has been tied to numerous openings over the past few seasons. He has been viewed as a potential successor to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, but so, too, has defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Ryans, meanwhile, is in his second season running the 49ers’ defense after serving three seasons as the inside linebackers coach.

The Colts were expected to be a strong playoff contender — if not a threat to win the AFC Championship — after acquiring veteran quarterback Matt Ryan over the offseason. He followed in the footsteps of Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, two other veteran quarterbacks brought in by Reich, but Ryan was benched after Indianapolis began the season 3-3-1.

Two weeks later, the 60-year-old Reich was shown the door. He finished his Colts tenure with a 40-33-1 record, and the team now has a few months to determine what direction to take with its next head coaching hire.

Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Jeff Saturday was named the interim coach, but he is not among the potential names being offered by SportsBetting.ag

Colts Next Head Coach
Mike Kafka (+300)
Greg Roman (+500)
DeMeco Ryans (+700)
Kellen Moore (+700)
Eric Bieniemy (+750)
Shane Steichen (+900)
Byron Leftwich (+1000)
Jerod Mayo (+1000)
Jim Harbaugh (+1000)
Raheem Morris (+1200)
Brian Johnson (+1400)
Sean Payton (+2000)
Peyton Manning (+5000)
Tony Dungy (+5000)
Pat McAfee (+10000)

Reich was the second domino to fall in the 2022 NFL head coaching carousel, but he almost certainly will not be the final one let go during the regular season.

Arizona’s Kliff Kingsbury was the favorite last week at SportsBetting.ag to be the second let go after Matt Rhule in Carolina. Kingsbury is now the heavy favorite at +150 to be the third after the Cardinals dropped to 3-6 on Sunday.

Kingsbury is followed by a pair of embattled first-year head coaches in Las Vegas’ Josh McDaniels (+400) and Denver’s Nathaniel Hackett (+500). Washington’s Ron Rivera is also +500, with the Commanders teetering on falling out of the playoff picture at 4-5.

Next Head Coach Fired
Kliff Kingsbury (+150)
Josh McDaniels (+400)
Nathaniel Hackett (+500)
Ron Rivera (+500)
Lovie Smith (+700)
Dan Campbell (+1200)
Matt LaFleur (+2800)
Dennis Allen (+3300)

–Field Level Media