The San Francisco 49ers battled through their contest against the Houston Texans but were ultimately outmatched. The game marked the first meeting between Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and his former team, where he spent six seasons on the 49ers coaching staff. Following the 26-15 loss in Week 8, San Francisco moves to 5-3 on the season.
Here are five takeaways from the 49ers-Texans game:
Defense Sustains Injuries
The 49ers defense endured another tough afternoon on the injury front. Defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (ankle), linebacker Dee Winters (knee), and defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) all exited the contest and did not return. Defensive lineman Alfred Collins briefly left with a shoulder injury but later returned to the game. The absences forced San Francisco to rotate heavily along the front seven for a majority of the game.
What Went Wrong
Head coach Kyle Shanahan described it as a “tough and unusual first half,” and that summed it up well. The 49ers offense struggled to find rhythm early, hindered by penalties, dropped passes, and stalled drives. Houston capitalized on short fields and explosive plays through the air, building a 13-0 lead midway through the second quarter. San Francisco’s comeback effort gained traction towards the end of the first and the start of the second half, but turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately prevented a full comeback.
Lenoir Ends Interception Drought
Defensive back Deommodore Lenoir delivered one of the defense’s brightest moments, recording his first interception of the season right before halftime. Lenoir jumped a deep pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud intended for Jaylin Noel and returned it 26 yards. The ball slipped, however, and DL Mykel Williams recovered to preserve possession. The takeaway snapped a seven-game streak without an interception for San Francisco.
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