Houston Texans: Jacob Martin, Covid-19 and more obstacles to 2020 season

There have been a few obstacles for the Houston Texans to overcome in 2020.

Late night Houston Texans news is never good, and that was the case on Wednesday night as it was reported that Jacob Martin had tested positive for COVID-19, and the Texans would work remotely on Thursday, three days before their Week 9 game.

The Texans — who are 1-6 — have now shut down their facility on multiple occasions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if they are now not training and practicing like “normal” for at least Thursday, so just how will that affect the team this weekend? They are scheduled to travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9.

Having the positive COVID-19 test for Martin just adds to the gloom that has been the 2020 season for the Houston Texans. This season has seen a terrible start on the field with just one win in seven games, the firing of a head coach, the run defense has played poorly, the offensive line has regressed, and the play calling is still unimaginative, even after the firing of Bill O’Brien.

Even with all of that said, the Houston Texans still have some very positive news, and that is the fact that Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback. There is some potential for this group moving forward as he continues to work in developing chemistry with wide receivers such as Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, as this is their first season working together.

Also, this season hasn’t seen the most consistent play from the team in general, except for when they faced the Jaguars earlier this season — the only win thus far — and when they battled the Tennessee Titans into overtime.

Coming off a bye week was supposed to be a positive for this weekend, but now with COVID-19 changing the pace and in-facility production, it is not yet known how that will affect the Texans in their Week 9 road game.

Houston Texans: Martin is wanted by team after trade deadline news

This has been written before, but Jacob Martin hasn’t been used enough on the defensive side of the ball this season, and now with him being away from the team as more COVID-19 tests are sure to be taking place, that will hamper his progression, too.

At least there is a positive in the fact the Texans seem to want Martin around, as reports said they rejected trade offers from the Seattle Seahawks this week near the trade deadline for Martin to return to the team that traded him to Houston in the first place.

Moving forward with this current COVID-19 situation, Martin’s health is of great importance, and this is something the Texans can overcome. If it had to happen, why not a week where they are facing Jacksonville, a team they know well?

The Houston Texans this Sunday don’t have a walk in the park when facing Jacksonville. When it comes to game time, even with this current news of the closure of the facility at least for Thursday, the Texans should be able to overcome this most recent setback and gain a second win of the season.