Houston Texans Face Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 Matchup

The Houston Texans prepare to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL Week 9 matchup scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Houston enters the contest looking to bounce back in the AFC South with a 2-5 record, while the Chargers host the game searching for their first victory of the season at 0-7.

Houston arrives following a productive stretch through the air, averaging 253.4 passing yards per game, ranking seventh in the league, alongside 23.6 points per game. Quarterback C.J. Stroud anchors the offense with 1,867 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and just one interception across seven games. Defensively, linebacker Will Anderson Jr. has recorded 7.5 of the team's 21 sacks, adding 33 tackles to pressure opposing offenses.

Meanwhile, the Chargers are looking to reverse an opening stretch that has yielded the league's lowest scoring mark at 15.0 points per game. Quarterback Justin Herbert has accumulated 1,398 passing yards and five touchdowns, though he has thrown 10 interceptions. Running back Omarion Hampton leads the ground game with 309 yards on 89 carries, aiming to find room against a Texans defense that surrenders 98 rushing yards per game.

Ahead of Sunday's kickoff, the Texans released their official inactive list, featuring a notable roster shift at tight end. Rookie second-round draft pick Marlin Klein is active for the first time since Week 3, while former starter and fourth-round pick Cade Stover has been designated inactive. KPRC 2 reporter Aaron Wilson noted on X that the Texans want to get their rookie tight end involved, marking his return after primarily remaining inactive for special-teams reasons following an appearance against the Indianapolis Colts.

Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle also highlighted the lineup change on X, writing, "Marlin Klein is active as Cade Stover is out." Klein was selected 59th overall in the 2026 NFL draft as a German-born prospect with limited game experience, having recorded a single 16-yard reception in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

In addition to Stover, the Texans will miss several key players due to injury and healthy scratches. Running back David Montgomery and safety Reed Blankenship remain out due to groin and concussion or hand injuries, respectively, keeping them sidelined following the team's bye week. Veteran offensive tackle Braden Smith was also deemed a healthy scratch, clearing the way for Blake Fisher to serve as the primary backup swing tackle.

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the game with a relatively clean injury report regarding their top starters, listing safety Kendall Williamson, defensive back Deane Leonard, guard Kayode Awosika, and wide receivers Theo Wease and Brenen Thompson as inactives. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+.