Texans Trade Deadline Day: the Window Closes at 3 P.M., Caserio Keeps Every Option Open and Montgomery Nears a Return

Deadline day has arrived in Houston with the Texans in the league's most honest position: buyers by record of intent, careful by arithmetic. The NFL's trade window closes at 3 p.m. CT today, and general manager Nick Caserio has said, in the media availability quoted by Athlon Sports, 'We'll always be open-minded. We're not going to eliminate anything. We'll listen and ultimately we'll do what we feel makes the most sense.' As of this cycle's check, no second Texans deal had been reported.

The big move is already made. Houston acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for its 2027 second- and seventh-round picks - a significant investment that strengthened the receiving room and thinned the draft capital left for any deadline-day follow-up. Caserio said the club has talked to most of the league about where surpluses sit, and several teams have reportedly inquired about edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney; Houston is reluctant to part with him, his two-sack game against Los Angeles strengthened his case to stay, and he reportedly prefers to remain in Houston.

The football case for one more addition is the ground game. Houston's running attack ranks 29th in the NFL, according to the Houston Chronicle figure cited by Athlon, and the room has been led by committee since David Montgomery's groin injury in Week 5 against Tennessee. That picture may be about to improve without a trade: head coach DeMeco Ryans said he is hopeful Montgomery can practice this week or next week and is pleased with his progress, KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson reported Monday. Ryans kept the trade door open in the same breath - he and Caserio 'will assess everything' - but a returning lead back is the cheapest deadline addition there is. Safety has also been named in reporting as a possible area of interest.

What changed the calculus was Sunday. Houston's 44-22 win over the Chargers - five touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud, eight sacks, and a 93.9 Pro Football Focus grade for Kayshon Boutte, the league's top-graded receiver in Week 9 - lifted the Texans' estimated playoff chances from 25 percent to 32 percent, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. They remain 1.5 games behind the AFC's final wild-card spot, with Cleveland next and Indianapolis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington behind it. By 3 p.m., Houston will have told the league which version of that math it believes.