Houston Texans' DeMeco Ryans Has A Concern, Can Myjai Sanders Help?

Will the addition of Myjai Sanders help the Houston Texans improve a major concern for coach DeMeco Ryans?

HOUSTON — Coach DeMeco Ryans was pleased that the Houston Texans entered the bye week with a 3-3 record following their 20-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. But the one concern Ryans did have was the Texans' ability to record sacks.

With the objective in mind, Ryans believes it will take a complete effort from the defensive line to record more sacks. But Wednesday afternoon, Houston's defensive front received an upgrade after claiming Myjai Sanders off waivers.

Sanders' arrival in Houston comes a year after the Arizona Cardinals made him a third-round pick during the 2022 NFL Draft. He only appeared in 13 games. But Sanders' short time in Arizona proved he embodies Ryans' SWARM defensive mentality.

"It’s just about guys doing the little things and being on it," Ryans said. "Rushing together and not feeling like they’re out there by themselves and nobody pressing to try and make a play. Everybody is just doing what they are supposed to do, playing together and the sacks will come."

Former Cardinals linebacker Myjai Sanders during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Cardinals Training Camp :: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Sanders finished his rookie season with 23 tackles, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He also added 17 total pressures and 13 hurries. If not for a thumb injury sustained during training camp, Sanders may not have fallen out of Arizona's rotation this season.

A change of scenery could help Sanders re-establish himself as a promising pass-rusher and the piece to elevate the Texans' defensive line with 11 games left. Houston has recorded nine sacks through six games despite registering 49 pressures and 22 quarterback hits.

The Texans registered 23 pressures against Saints quarterback Derek Carr but only came away with two sacks, recorded by Jonathan Greenard and Maliek Collins. Rookie Will Anderson Jr. accounted for eight pressures and two hurries against the Saints. But the former Alabama pass-rusher missed a pair of sacks in the win.

"I like where our team is headed into the bye at .500," Ryans said. "We’ve done some things really well, but [I’m] proud of the way the guys played [Sunday], proud of the win. But, there’s also still a lot of things that we can clean up, a lot of things that we can improve on, but I’m encouraged with where we are as a team."