49ers pregame: WR Watkins debuting, all cornerbacks suiting up vs Texans; Houston takes early lead
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HOUSTON — Ricky Pearsall is out a fourth straight game, and Brandon Aiyuk’s comeback remains at least a week away, but the 49ers are debuting a reinforcement at wide receiver today at the Texans.
Rookie fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins is suiting up for his first game, joining a unit that consists today of Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Skyy Moore. Watkins’ career has been delayed by calf and ankle injuries.
All the 49ers’ cornerbacks also are suiting up despite injury concerns hovering over Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green and Upton Stout.
Out for the 49ers are Pearsall, quarterback Brock Purdy, center Jake Brendel, rookie Jordan James, defensive tackle C.J. West and defensive ends Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos.
The Texans are without two of their top wide receivers, Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. Also out for Houston are offensive tackles Trent Brown (the cousin of 49ers rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins) and Jarrett Kingston (2024 sixth-round pick by the 49ers), defensive end Darrell Taylor, and quarterback Graham Mertz.
The 49ers (5-2) can take over sole possession of first place in the NFC West with a victory; the Los Angeles Rams (5-2) and the Seattle Seahawks (5-2) are both on byes.
The Texans (2-4) are playing their first home game since a 26-0 shutout of Tennessee on Sept. 28.
14:57: Q2 — TEXANS 6, 49ERS 0: 49ers get the ball back after a first quarter that saw the Texas run 19 more plays (23 to 4). The 49ers offense was on the field for 1:44 of the opening 15 minutes
END OF FIRST QUARTER — TEXANS 3, 49ERS 0
1:23 -Q1 TEXANS 3, 49ERS 0: Texans on the move again and convert another third down play. 1st and 10 on the 49ers 21
3:47 Q1 TEXANS 3, 49ERS 0– 49ers have to punt after their first offensive series, but George Kittle already has a catch after going without a reception last week in the win over the Falcons. That was the first time that happened in Kittle’s career, including the playoffs.
5:21 Q1 TEXANS 3, 49ERS 0– Texans have to settle for a 33 yard field goal. Niners’ Ji’Ayir Brown with a huge stop of Nick Chubb for a loss of a yard on 3rd and 1 to finally stall the drive. Texans had the ball for nearly 10 minutes in becoming the first team this season to score against the 49ers on their opening drive of the game.
8:12 Q1 — Stroud keeps the drive alive with a plunge on 4th and 1. 1st and 10 on the 49ers 23.
So far, Stroud 6 of 8 for 40 yards, and Texans have rushed for 20 yards. Niners have blitzed five times, no QB hits
10:28 Q1 — CJ Stroud converts a 3rd and 11pass keeping an 8 play (so far) drive alive and getting the Texans to the 49ers’ 33
15:00 first quarter
Texans get the ball first.
And we are live in Houston