Huff had played a crucial role in the 49er defense shutting down the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, and the injuries to Okuayinonu and Elliott exacerbated the problem for San Francisco that was a constant on defense throughout — a failure to make the Houston offense pay on third down.

The 49ers still aren’t sure if Brock Purdy will play against Giants, but surface at MetLife Stadium will not be a factor.

The performance against the Houston Texans highlighted several areas that need improvement. The 49ers are learning to cope without their two main defensive stars, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, for the remainder of the season. Losing both so early could suggest the team may explore a trade before the deadline to help support the rookies.

There were a couple of good things, plenty of bad, and enough ugly from the 49ers in Week 8 against the Texans.

Minutes after Sunday's dispiriting loss to the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan minced no words about what he'd just witnessed. On a day when Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud picked apart the 49ers' defense and the Houston offense was nearly shut down in the first half,

The Texans face the 49ers in a virtual must-win game for their playoff hopes. We'll have updates and anlysis throughout the day from NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans jumped on the San Francisco 49ers early in an impressive bounce-back performance Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Texans’ 26-15 win was their first over San Francisco since 2009.

In a 3-hour game, the San Francisco 49ers played about 10 minutes of good football as the Houston Texans dominated in every aspect of a 26-15 game that was nowhere near that close.

Instead of having to settle for another field goal, C.J, Stroud and Xavier Hutchinson hooked up to put the 49ers in a deeper hole.

"We've got to take it like men and come back, hopefully a little pissed off, and play better next week," Kyle Shanahan said.