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The Houston Texans will get a defensive playmaker back when they travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph missed the team’s Wild Card game due to a hamstring strain, but in spite of being limited in practice this week, he is expected to play on Saturday, according to NFL Network reporter James Palmer.
The Texans pass defense has been a big problem much of this season, coincidentally enough thanks in part to the departure of Tyrann Mathieu to the Chiefs. Joseph missed two weeks earlier this season, and then missed last week’s win over Buffalo.
Joseph is in the twilight of his career, but the Texans are going to need every body they can throw at the Chiefs this weekend. Houston beat Kansas City back in Week 6, but that Chiefs team was without tackle Eric Fisher, and more importantly, Patrick Mahomes was playing on a bum ankle. Both are healthy and Mahomes is rolling along.
Joseph is not going to make or break this game, but if Houston has any hope of springing the upset, they’ll need a solid performance from him.