M.J. Stewart - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Steps up in Week 7 loss Stewart finished with 12 tackles (five solo), including 0.5 sacks, and a defensed pass in Sunday's overtime loss to the Giants.

Impact Stewart paced Houston in tackles, and he contributed a half-sack of J.J. McCarthy in the fourth quarter. Stewart missed the first four weeks of the campaign due to a knee injury and was limited to work on special teams upon his return in Week 5, but he started and logged a 95 percent defensive snap share Sunday in the absence of Reed Blankenship (concussion/hand). The Texans are on bye in Week 8, so Blankenship will have extra time to recover ahead of Houston's Week 9 matchup against the Chargers.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

The Week 7 Plays That Stood Out: The 49ers' Woes To The Seahawks' Dominant Defense

Here are the most important plays from NFL Week 7, ranging from the 49ers' struggles to the Seahawks' impressive defense.

OCTOBER 27 • FOX SPORTS

The Week 7 Plays That Stood Out: The 49ers' Woes To The Seahawks' Dominant Defense

Set for season debut Stewart is active for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Impact The Texans activated Stewart from the reserve/PUP list Saturday. The free safety has finally recovered from his quadriceps injury and a recent knee injury. Stewart is ready to return to the field and will serve as the main reserve option behind Calen Bullock.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from PUP list Stewart (knee) was activated from the reserve/PUP list Saturday but is still questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Impact Although he's still listed as questionable, the fact that Stewart was removed from the PUP list after three-straight full practices makes it likely that he'll make his 2026 regular-season debut Sunday. Stewart's 2025 season was ended by a quad injury that required surgery in early November, but he was tagged with a knee injury during Week 5 prep. Stewart's return would solidify the Texans' safety depth behind Calen Bullock and Reed Blankenship.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Could make 2026 debut in Week 5 Stewart (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tennessee.

Impact Stewart was a full practice participant all week, and there's a chance that he is cleared to make his 2026 regular-season debut in Sunday's AFC South tilt. The veteran safety opened the regular season on the reserve/PUP list due to a quad injury, which has recently been reclassified as a knee issue. Stewart's return would bolster the Texans' depth at safety behind starters Reed Blankenship and Calen Bullock.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Upgrades to full practice participation Stewart (knee) practiced in full Thursday.

Impact Stewart opened the season on the PUP list and was designated to return Sept. 23. He began this week with a limited practice session Wednesday before upgrading to full participation Thursday. Stewart isn't eligible to play this Sunday, but he could make his season debut in Week 5 against Tennessee.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice The Texans designated Stewart (quadriceps) for return from their reserve/PUP list Wednesday.

Impact He'll still have to miss at least the next two games, but the move opens a 21-day window during which Stewart can be activated before he would have to go back to the PUP list for the rest of the season. He was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, per the Texans' official site.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

M.J. Stewart's return to Texans secondary could spell trouble for Reed Blankenship The Houston Texans have just officially opened the 21-window of ninth-year safety M.J. Stewart, which could be a bad thing if you're Reed Bl...

SEPTEMBER 23 • TOROTIMES.COM

Texans S M.J. Stewart Returns to Practice: What It Means for the Secondary Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart is on his way back to the field for the first time in over nine months.

SEPTEMBER 23 • SI.COM

Sidelined to open season Stewart (quadriceps) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Texans on Sunday.

Impact Stewart suffered a quadriceps injury in early November, ending the 2025 season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery. The safety remained sidelined throughout training camp and the preseason, and he will now be forced to miss at least four contests to open the regular season. In his absence, offseason addition Reed Blankenship will be the unquestioned No. 1 option at strong safety for Houston.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Could return during camp Texans GM Nick Caserio said Wednesday that Stewart (quadriceps) could return during training camp, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact It sounds like Stewart is more week-to-week than day-to-day after he was placed on the active/PUP list to begin camp Tuesday. Stewart inked a one-year, $2.7 million deal to remain with the Texans over the offseason after he recorded 25 tackles (15 solo) across nine regular-season appearances in 2025.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

To start camp on PUP Stewart (undisclosed) will begin training camp on the Texans' active/PUP list, per the team's official site.

Impact Stewart sat out all of Houston's last 10 games last year, including two postseason games, with a quadriceps injury, and he's still not back to full strength with training camp now underway. Until he's able to practice again, 2025 sixth-rounder Jaylen Reed could get more action in the defensive backfield.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Likely remaining in Houston Stewart (quadriceps) plans on signing a one-year deal to remain in Houston, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Stewart missed Houston's final eight regular-season games in 2025 due to a quadriceps injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The veteran safety from North Carolina has appeared in 24 regular-season games over the past two seasons, tallying 37 total tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble while contributing both on defense (316 snaps) and special teams (447 snaps). If the 30-year-old signs a one-year deal with Houston as expected, he'll likely maintain a similar role during the 2026 season.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Officially lands on IR Stewart (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact Stewart suffered a left quad injury in Sunday's 36-29 win over the Jaguars that requires season-ending surgery. This move was strictly procedural as a result, and it will open up a roster spot for the Texans.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Texans avoid another tough loss with an improbable comeback against Jaguars

Down by 19 entering the fourth quarter Sunday against Jacksonville, the Houston Texans looked to be headed for another tough loss

NOVEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Out for the season Stewart (quadriceps) will be out for the season, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Impact After being carted off during Sunday's game against Jacksonville, head coach Demeco Ryans said Stewart's season is over. The eight-year veteran took over as the starting safety following the release of C.J. Gardner-Johnson in September.

NOVEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Backup QB Davis Mills and Texans overcome 19-point, fourth-quarter deficit to stun Jaguars 36-29

Backup Davis Mills threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter and scrambled 14 yards for the go-ahead score with 31 seconds left and the Houston Texans rallied from a 19-point...

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Ruled out with knee Stewart (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Impact Stewart was carted off the field in the first half after suffering a serious knee injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Tremon Smith will likely replace Stewart at free safety for the remainder of the divisional contest.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Texans and Titans both winless entering Sunday's AFC South showdown

The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans entered the season with very different expectations

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Moves up depth chart Stewart is expected to take over as a starting safety after the Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Wednesday, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Gardner-Johnson's tenure in Houston lasted just three games before the eject button was pushed by head coach DeMeco Ryans, who talked about having a "great pulse" of the locker and "what's going on." The 30-year-old Stewart is in his fourth season with the Texans and is familiar with the operation. He's played just five snaps in 2025 but has extensive experience as a backup in previous seasons.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Staying in Houston another year The Texans will sign Stewart to a one-year contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Stewart played in 15 games for the Texans in 2024, and although he didn't see the field much on defense, he was a major special teams contributor. After Houston already lost fellow safety Eric Murray to Jacksonville in free agency, that was enough to earn Stewart another deal for the upcoming season. He projects to contribute primarily on special teams again in 2025.

MARCH 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Stewart (knee) is active Sunday against the Vikings.

Impact Stewart has yet to play this season due to the injury and will be making his season debut when he takes the field. The veteran safety will bolster the team's depth in the secondary but will primarily see action on special teams.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Minnesota Stewart (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Stewart has been held out for the first two games of the season due to a knee injury he sustained in early September. The fact he was able to practice all three days, albeit in a limited capacity, gives the 2018 second-round pick a fair shot of suiting up for the first time this year. If he does play, Stewart will likely be limited to special-teams duties.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Week 2 Stewart (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest versus Chicago.

Impact Stewart will miss his second straight game to open the campaign due to a knee issue. The safety didn't practice in any capacity this week, so his status for Week 3 may also be in doubt. When healthy, Stewart is expected to work in a backup role for the Texans.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Stewart (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts.

Impact The seventh-year pro failed to log a single practice session this week due to a knee injury, so it's no surprise that he won't be suiting up Sunday. With Stewart sidelined in Week 1, expect Calen Bullock and Eric Murray to assume the reserve safety roles.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

M.J. STEWART NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

The Week 7 Plays That Stood Out: The 49ers' Woes To The Seahawks' Dominant Defense

Texans avoid another tough loss with an improbable comeback against Jaguars

Backup QB Davis Mills and Texans overcome 19-point, fourth-quarter deficit to stun Jaguars 36-29

Texans and Titans both winless entering Sunday's AFC South showdown