There have been some interesting moves for the Houston Texans early on this season, but perhaps the biggest came on Sunday before Week 4's matchup against theDallas Cowboys.
Tight end Marlin Klein, the preseason star and second-round pick out of Michigan, was listed as a healthy scratch. While Klein hasn't been one of the most effective players to begin the season, he's also been limited to 14 total snaps in three games, totaling just one catch.
After being one of the biggest risers in the preseason as a threat to uptick the passing attack, Klein is now watching from the sidelines as Houston tries to avoid its first 0-4 start since 2020. The pick was panned by critics back in April, not just because of the lack of production during his time in Ann
Arbor, but also because of the value of other needs entering a crucial 2026 season.
With Klein out, the Texans turn to veteran tight end Brevin Jordan, who will make his first appearance on the field since 2024 after suffering a pair of season-ending knee injuries.
Our inactives for #DALvsHOU ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EyboZD4Iom
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 4, 2026
Social media did not take kindly to the Texans benching Klein after a lackluster start to the season. Here were some of the top responses online.
Marlin Klein being a healthy scratch is awful.
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) October 4, 2026
The Texans have numerous draft picks from a draft that was supposed to positively impact the potential of the team.
Keylan Rutledge has struggled to settle in.
Kayden McDonald has been hurt but was buried on depth chart before…
Rookie TE Marlin Klein among the Texans inactive. Blevins Jordan will make his season debut. pic.twitter.com/FWBxHoy1h7
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) October 4, 2026
Texans drafted Marlin Klein in the second round but have him inactive in Week 4 after decreasing weekly snap counts. Make it make sense to use a premium draft asset like that.https://t.co/F2dDwFjTXp
— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) October 4, 2026
Marlin Klein inactive. Texans trolling at this point.
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 4, 2026
Injury? Brevin back? Still 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xHZNptIQso
Most people thought Marlin Klein was a Day 3 pick. The Texans taking him in 2nd round combined with a good camp created intrigue that there would be immediate impact on offense, but the path appears to be more like a raw day three pick than an immediate 2nd round contributor.
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) October 4, 2026
Texans have 3 top 110 picks that will play 0 snaps today as they try to avoid starting 0-4.
— Jacob Barzilla (@JacobBarzilla) October 4, 2026
Kayden McDonald - IR
Marlin Klein - Healthy Inactive
Febechi Nwaiwu - Healthy Inactive
Not great.
Surprised to see TE Marlin Klein INACTIVE. pic.twitter.com/q7gnDQBeRS
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) October 4, 2026
But Marlin Klein was a cant miss prospect https://t.co/jpuenzm5qt
— AyooNoah (@AyooTexanNation) October 1, 2026
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans fans react to rookie TE Marlin Klein's healthy scratch for Cowboys game
