**JACKSONVILLE** – It's November, so this feels right.
The Jaguars on Sunday will play an AFC South rival in what by any measure is an important game. Playoff maneuvering will be one theme. Late-season momentum will be another. Still another is health.
That's what big-game November football is about, and [Sunday’s game between the Jaguars and Houston Texans](https://www.jaguars.com/game-day/2025/reg-week10/jaguars-at-texans/) absolutely has that feel – with the Jaguars dealing with multiple injuries around the roster and Texans dealing with one at the most important position.
Texans starting quarterback C.J. Stroud has been ruled out with a concussion sustained in a loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Davis Mills will start at quarterback for the Texans.
The Jaguars enter Sunday with what [Head Coach Liam Coen](https://www.jaguars.com/team/coaches-roster/liam-coen) on Monday called a "laundry list" of an injury report, with players such as wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., guard Ezra Cleveland and cornerback Jourdan Lewis not practicing this week because of injuries.
They're limping and contending at the same time.
This is the tough stuff, and the fun stuff.
The Jaguars (5-3) enter Sunday a game and a half behind the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts (7-2), with the two-time defending division champion Texans 3-5. The Jaguars beat the Texans, 17-10, in Jacksonville in Week 3 and haven't swept the Texans since their 2017 AFC South championship season.
A Jaguars victory Sunday wouldn't eliminate the Texans, but it would be a huge step toward the Jaguars contending the rest of the season.