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Ravens vs Texans Match Week 5: Time, Channel, How to Watch & Injury Update

Ravens beat Texans 34-10 and reach AFC title game

Baltimore, Maryland – With both the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans struggling at 1-3 after four games, this AFC matchup at M&T Bank Stadium promises to be a survival battle to avoid sinking further in the playoff race. The Ravens, under head coach John Harbaugh, are facing a severe injury crisis, especially without superstar Lamar Jackson, while the Texans, led by C.J. Stroud's offense, have a golden opportunity to flip the script. This is a major test for both teams' resilience. Below is a detailed update on the schedule, broadcast channels, venue, injuries, and key storylines.

Schedule and Broadcast Information

  • Time: Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.
  • Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland – the Ravens' home field, where they hope to regain momentum against the Texans' pressure.
  • Broadcast Channels:
    • On TV: CBS (local channels in Baltimore and Houston).
    • Streaming: Paramount+, FuboTV, or NFL+ for international viewers.

The game is predicted to be a close Texans win, 24-20, according to experts, thanks to the opponent's injury advantages, but the Ravens could pull off an upset if their defense holds strong.

Injury Updates: Ravens' Major Crisis Heading into Kickoff

Both teams have injury issues, but the Ravens are in "disaster" mode with 15 players on the report, severely weakening both offense and defense. Here's the latest injury report from Saturday, October 4, 2025:

Baltimore Ravens:

  • OUT (Not Playing): QB Lamar Jackson (Hamstring) – The superstar is out for his first game this season; Cooper Rush will make his first start for the Ravens; LB Roquan Smith (Hamstring), CB Marlon Humphrey (Calf), CB Chidobe Awuzie (Undisclosed), FB Patrick Ricard (Calf), DT Nnamdi Madubuike (Neck), LT Ronnie Stanley (Undisclosed), DT Travis Jones (Undisclosed), DT Broderick Washington Jr. (Undisclosed), and several others – Losing these defensive and offensive anchors will be a catastrophe.
  • QUESTIONABLE (TBD): S Kyle Hamilton (Groin), CB Nate Wiggins (Undisclosed), and a few backups – Hamilton is key to the secondary; if he's out, the Texans will easily exploit it.
  • FULL PARTICIPATION: Players like RB Derrick Henry (if healthy) and WR Zay Flowers – Henry remains a big hope on the ground.

Head coach Harbaugh has acknowledged the injury list is too long, and the team is focusing on rotations to compensate.

Houston Texans:

  • OUT: DT Folorunso Fatukasi (Undisclosed), S Jaylen Reed (PUP), DE Denico Autry (PUP) – Mostly defensive, but only three major cases, not significantly impacting the offense.
  • QUESTIONABLE: A few backups like LBs or DBs – The Texans' roster is relatively stable, with C.J. Stroud and Joe Mixon ready to go.
  • FULL/LIMITED: QB C.J. Stroud (Rest), RB Joe Mixon (Shoulder) – The Texans' offense is nearly at full strength.

The Texans are capitalizing on their health edge to prepare for the Ravens' defensive storm.

Key Storylines and Game Analysis

This matchup is being called a "golden opportunity" for the Texans under DeMeco Ryans, as they face the Ravens—a once-dominant AFC North team now wobbling with a defense ranked poorly (allowing 406.8 yards per game). Here are the hot topics:

  • Offensive Battle: Without Jackson, Cooper Rush (9-5 career starting record) must face the Texans' defense. If Stroud maintains his high accuracy, combined with Mixon's runs, the Texans could exploit the Ravens' secondary weakness (low NFL ranking).
  • Expert Predictions: Most lean toward a Texans victory, with an average score of 24-20. Some, like those from the Baltimore Banner, pick the Texans 4/6 times, emphasizing the Ravens' injuries. Current odds: Texans -1.5, total points O/U around 44.5.
  • Other Factors: Weather at M&T Bank Stadium is forecast to be mild (around 20°C), favoring a traditional style of play. The Ravens are trying to avoid a 1-4 start for the first time since 2015, while the Texans want to assert dominance in the AFC South after beating the Titans.

In summary, this game could shift the AFC landscape this season. The Ravens have the home-field advantage and remaining talent, but the Texans' healthier roster gives them a strong shot at an upset. Tune in to see if Rush can salvage things or if Stroud shines. More updates will follow after the game!

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Ex-Eagles Super Bowl Champion Safety Takes Pay Cut to Join Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have officially added one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive playmakers to their secondary — a veteran safety whose range, instincts, and edge bring immediate attitude to the back end. The move underscores Baltimore’s urgency to stabilize a banged-up defense and keep pace in a tightening AFC North race. That veteran is C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a recent Super Bowl champion in Philadelphia known league-wide for his ball skills and versatility at nickel, free safety, and dime. He joins the Ravens’ practice squad after a late-September release by Houston and is expected to elevate quickly once he’s acclimated to the scheme. Reports note he owns 18 career interceptions and 300+ tackles, with league-leading (tied) 6 INTs in 2022 and another 6 during last season’s title run with the Eagles.  Through the first month of the 2025 season in Houston, Gardner-Johnson appeared in three games, logging 15 tackles as the Texans stumbled out to 0–3 before parting ways. The release followed role-related friction, per multiple reports. Baltimore’s calculus is simple: the secondary needs proven production while stars recover. With Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and others dealing with injuries, the Ravens view Gardner-Johnson as a low-risk boost who can moonlight across roles and bring takeaways back to a defense that thrives on them. The team announced the practice-squad signing Tuesday.  Financially, this is a classic “fit over cash” move. Because Houston remains on the hook for his fully guaranteed 2025 salary after a recent restructure, Baltimore’s cap exposure is minimal — effectively a practice-squad contract with upside if/when he’s elevated. In other words, Gardner-Johnson accepts a pay cut on the Baltimore side to chase the right opportunity, while the Ravens secure a veteran ball-hawk at bargain cost.  Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and the staff have emphasized adding versatility and takeaways to weather the injury storm. Gardner-Johnson checks both boxes: a tone-setter who can match in the slot, range over the top, or heat up the pocket as a blitzer — all hallmarks of Baltimore’s most menacing defenses.  Reflecting on the move, Gardner-Johnson framed his decision bluntly:“At this stage, it’s about winning the right way. Baltimore’s identity fits my game — physical, disciplined, and hunting the ball. I’m here to help this team finish.” For a Ravens team trying to steady the back end and reassert its defensive standard, adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson may be the spark that restores swagger and pushes Baltimore deeper into the playoff conversation.