Texans rest several key players in 35-14 loss to Titans

Houston Texans decided that resting some banged-up players before next week's playoff game was more important than winning on Sunday.

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 211 yards and three touchdowns and Tennessee Titans beat Texans 35-14 to clinch a playoff spot. Texans beat Titans two weeks ago to take control of AFC South and locked up division last week, allowing Houston to sit quarterback Deshaun Watson and or key players.

"Once we were getting closer to beginning of game, it was pretty obvious that our seeding wasn't going to change,” coach Bill O'Brien said. “So we decided to do those things in best interest of team.”

Watson was active on Sunday, but O'Brien started AJ McCarron instead. Watson was listed as questionable with a back injury this week but said he was OK. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins (illness) was also active, but did t play and several starters, including receiver Kenny Stills (knee), left tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle) and se tackle D.J. Reader, were inactive.

“ most important thing when you get to this part of season is health of team,” safety Justin Reid said. “So everybody that got a chance to get healthy and be back next week, that's what's most important.”

McCarron threw for 225 yards with an interception and ran for a touchdown.

Houston was locked into AFC's fourth seed after Kansas City Chiefs beat Los Angeles Chargers earlier Sunday. Texans will host Buffalo next week.

“I think we're as healthy as we can possibly be at this time,” O'Brien said. “We need to come in here ready to go ... and have a good week of preparation.”

Texans are expected to get three time Defensive Player of Year J.J. Watt back against Bills. Watt, who tore a pectoral muscle in October, returned to practice last week, but couldn't be added to active roster until after Sunday's game.

It's unclear how much Watt will be able to play next weekend, but regardless of his snap count, everyone is thrilled about his return after he was thought to be done for season.

“Anything he can give us from a playing standpoint will be great, but I just think that his presence alone is big,” veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. “Just going out re with a guy like that, rushing to get back, beating timetable, putting it on line for his team, anytime you have a guy doing that, it's going to lift everybody else up, give m some extra juice and pump m up as well.”

Joseph injured a hamstring in first half and didn't return, but said after game that he is OK and expects to play next week.

McCarron scored on a 1-yard run in third quarter that cut Tennessee's lead to 21-14.

“He made some good plays out re, made some good decisions,” O'Brien said. “It was tough sledding at time, but for a guy that had t played, this was a good opportunity for him to play.”