The trickle down effect on the Houston Texans with Andre Johnson not playing is that third-string quarterback T.J. Yates has to put a ton of trust in the other skill players on the offense. Kevin Walter will start in place of Andre Johnson and Yates will need him to stretch the field. The Texans will use Joel Dreessen more in two tight end sets to help with the run and pass, and Ben Tate will get even more carries as the Texans lean on the run even more...
...but when Andre Johnson comes back? Everyone immediately becomes better because of additional playing time and responsibility.
Here is the week 15 injury report and inactive list for the Texans as they prepare for Carolina:
| Name | Position | Status | Comments |
| Jeff Garcia | QB | Inactive | |
| Sherrick McManis | DB | Inactive | |
| Mike Brisiel | OG | Inactive | |
| Andrew Gardner | OT | Inactive | |
| Andre Johnson | WR | Inactive | Johnson (hamstring) is inactive. Kevin Walter will start in his place. |
| Garrett Graham | TE | Inactive | |
| Tim Bulman | DT | Inactive | |
| Shaun Cody | NT | Active | |
| Joel Dreessen | TE | Active | Dreessen (knee) is active. He has some value in deeper leagues. |
| Mister Alexander | LB | Active | |
| Jason Allen | CB | Active | |
| Brandon Harris | DB | Active | |
| Chris Myers | C | Active | |
| Jesse Nading | DE | Active | |
| Lawrence Vickers | RB | Active | |
| Kevin Walter | WR | Active | Walter (knee) is active. He should see targets with Andre Johnson inactive. |
| J.J. Watt | DE | Active | |
| T.J. Yates | QB | Active | Yates (elbow, hand, hip) is active. He has little value outside of deep leagues. |
For more on this game, check out SB Nation's Houston Texans Blog Battle Red Blog and the Carolina Panthers Blog Cat Scratch Reader.