Texans-Raiders live updates: Christian Harris active for Sunday’s game

LAS VEGAS — The Texans returned from their open date, but couldn’t make it back-to-back wins, with the Raiders taking control of a tight game during the fourth quarter Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

The Texans lost 38-20 to the Raiders on Sunday as their porous defense forced Davis Mills and the offense to outgun the Raiders in a way it couldn’t.

Tied at halftime, Mills was fielding one of the best performances in his second season with the rebuilding franchise. But the Texans stalled in the fourth quarter. Coach Lovie Smith called the offense to attempt to go for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 33, but the Texans were forced to punt after rookie left guard Kenyon Green was flagged for a false start.

The Raiders seized control on the next drive. Josh Jacobs gashed a leaky Texans defense for runs of 12 and 13 yards before scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run. Las Vegas then led 31-20 with 7:12 left in the game. Jacobs finished with 20 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

The Texans were then forced to score quickly. Mills attempted to fire a deep pass to Brevin Jordan, which was intercepted by safety Duron Harmon, who read the play the whole way and returned it 73 yards for a pick-six.

The Texans (1-4-1) leave the desert with a gutting loss, and next host the Titans on Oct. 30 at NRG Stadium. — Brooks Kubena

All but over

Raiders safety Duron Harmon read Davis Mills the whole way and snagged a pass intended for Brevin Jordan and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Raiders deliver a dagger turnover and lead 38-20 with 3:39 left in the game. — Brooks Kubena

Collins won’t return

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has been officially ruled out with a groin injury. — Brooks Kubena

Kenyon Green to tent

Kenyon Green exited the medical tent rotating his left arm. Trainers took him to teammate Austin Deculus on the sideline and tested his ability to push. He appears poised to return. — Brooks Kubena

Nico Collins departs

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins suffered a groin injury during the second half of Sunday’s game. He’s questionable to return. Collins’ loss is a huge blow to the Texans, who are in the middle of a close game in the fourth quarter. The Texans trailed the Raiders 24-20 with 11:21 left in the fourth.Collins has been the Texans’ best receiver in the past two weeks. He has three catches for 33 yards today. — Jonathan M. Alexander

After three quarters: Texans 20, Raiders 17

It’s been a back-and-forth third quarter between the Texans and the Raiders. The Raiders used a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs, who has 84 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown through three quarters. The Texans have remained balanced. But Davis Mills has made some impressive throws, including his 25-yard touchdown pass to Phillip Dorsett on third down with 3:14 left in the third quarter to put them ahead.

That’s been the story of the game for the Texans’ offense. Their ability to convert on third downs.They are 7-of-10 for the day on third down, and as a result lead 20-17 after three quarters — Jonathan M. Alexander

A productive half

The Texans scored only 10 points in the first half, but in a way are having their most productive start to a game this season. Their three possessions ended with a missed field goal, a touchdown and a made field goal. They flipped the field by gaining at least 40 yards each time they had the ball, something they had not done this season. In every game, the Texans have had at least one three-and-out in their first three possessions, and the 10 points is the most they have scored the first three times they got the ball. — Jerome Solomon

Halftime: Raiders 10, Texans 10

It’s all tied at 10 at halftime. Houston’s offense has been productive. Dameon Pierce has three carries for 20 yards, including a 22-yard run that helped set up a Ka’imi Fairbairn 55-yard field goal. Davis Mills has been particularly efficient, especially on third downs. He’s 4-of-5 passing for 46 yards on third downs with two conversions and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Chris Moore. The Texans entered the weekend ranked second-to-last in the NFL in third-down conversions (29.2 percent). So far, the franchise has markedly improved. The Texans defense has struggled to contain the Raiders’ top playmakers. Josh Jacobs has 57 total yards and has gained yardage in chunks both on the ground and out of the backfield. The Raiders have been moving the ball just fine when they stay out of their own way. Derek Carr is 11-of-14 passing for 111 yards and fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to Mack Hollins in between Texans safeties Jonathan Owens and Jalen Pitre on the final drive before halftime. — Brooks Kubena

First quarter: Raiders 3, Texans 0

The Texans trail the Raiders in the first quarter 3-0, but it’s been a promising start. The Texans have been able to move the ball down field with a balanced attack. Davis Mills is 6 of 7 for 54 yards. Dameon Pierce has seven rushes for 25 yards. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbarn missed a 39-yard field goal in the first quarter, which would have tied the game. The Texans have another chance to score with the ball at the Raiders’ 37-yard line. — Jonathan M. Alexander

First chance for Christian Harris

Texans rookie linebacker Christian Harris is active. He is poised to make his NFL debut. He is yet another significant rookie to watch for a rebuilding franchise that desperately needs improvements on its defensive front. General manager Nick Caserio traded up to select Harris No. 75 overall out of Alabama partly because of the linebacker’s exceptional size and speed. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and has a powerful 6-2, 232-pound frame. How much Harris plays against the Raiders today will be notable. He suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 5, missed all of the preseason and has been sidelined for five games. He was designated to return Oct. 5, and coach Lovie Smith said earlier this week they’ve been trying to get Harris “up to speed” at one position. Harris projects as an outside linebacker. The Texans have been rotating their linebackers more frequently lately. Before Houston’s first victory in Jacksonville, starter Christian Kirksey had not missed a snap all season and Kamu Grugier-Hill had only missed eight. They both rotated often in that game with Neville Hewitt and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, which was partly due to staying fresh in hot conditions but also due to poor performance. It’s likely Harris will make his debut as a platoon linebacker in Houston’s base three-linebacker packages.  It’s a role that Blake Cashman and Garret Wallow have shared this season. — Brooks Kubena

Inactives

LB Jake HansenWR Tyler JohnsonDB Isaac YiadomDL Demone HarrisOL Austin Deculus

— Jonathan M. Alexander

Pregame reading

A scout’s journey: The long road of James Liipfert to a key position in Texans hierarchy.The conversation: Breaking down today’s game and what to look for.Predictions: How the Chronicle writers picked the game.

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