Stroud and Texans start hot, knock out 49ers

With star receiver Nico Collins out Sunday against San Francisco, the Houston Texans needed someone to step up to make up for his absence.

- WIRE REPORTS

ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH Associated Press

THE TEXANS' C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass.

Turns out a lot of different players helped do that.

C.J. Stroud threw for a season-high 318 yards with two touchdowns and the Texans got off to a quick start and held on for a 26-15 victory.

Stroud completed passes to nine different players with Collins out after sustaining a concussion Monday night. Xavier Hutchinson led the group with a career-high 69 yards receiving and a score and rookie Jaylin Noel added 63 to help the Texans (3-4) bounce back after a loss to Seattle.

Hutchinson's 30-yard touchdown grab extended Houston's lead to 23-7 with about 7 '/2 minutes left in the third quarter.

A two-yard touchdown reception by Jake Tonges and Demarcus Robinson's two-point conversion grab cut the lead to 23-15 late in the third quarter. Jauan Jennings made a 25-yard grab a play before the touchdown to set up the score.

Houston added a field goal after that, and the 49ers were driving late when Ka-mari Lassiter intercepted Mac Jones just outside ofthe end zone with a little under two minutes left to seal the victory.

Jones had trouble getting the offense going, and the 49ers (5-3) trailed by 16 before they gained a first down late in the second quarter. He threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns while filling in for injured Brock Purdy.

The Texans held Christian McCaffrey in check, limiting him to 25 yards rushing and 43 receiving.