In a challenging matchup, the Cardinals found themselves trailing the Texans 17-0 during the first quarter, and their woes worsened with a significant injury. Running back Bam Knight was quickly escorted off the field and taken to the X-ray room due to a left ankle injury. The Cardinals have listed Knight as questionable to return, but initial observations indicated he was unable to put any weight on his left leg and visibly struggled with pain as he exited.
Knight’s injury came just moments after he made his first touch of the game, which ended poorly as he was tackled by Texans cornerback Derek Stingley for a 2-yard loss. This season, Knight has been a key player for Arizona, recording 82 carries for a total of 269 yards and four touchdowns. His absence could significantly impact the Cardinals’ offensive strategy moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Texans showcased a dominant performance, racking up 93 total yards to Arizona’s minus-7. The Houston offense was on fire, highlighted by a standout 57-yard touchdown reception from Nico Collins. In addition, Ka’imi Fairbairn contributed with a 30-yard field goal, and Woody Marks added to the score with a 1-yard touchdown run executed from the wildcat formation, following a botched snap that bounced off the ground.
As the game unfolds, the Cardinals will need to regroup not only to overcome the deficit but also to adapt to the loss of Knight, while the Texans appear to be in strong form as they look to maintain their lead.
