Damar Hamlin situation a sobering reminder of NFL's human toll

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View in browser For the next 6 months, benefit from the Houston Chronicle's essential journalism. Subscribe today for only 99¢. Today's starting lineup It was hardly the normal Tuesday during football season, with the games taking a back seat to the health of Bills safety Damar Hamlin after his frightening collapse Monday night. Jerome Solomon writes that while the NFL did the right thing in stopping the game, it's only a matter of time before a similar situation arises. Ann Killion writes that football's human toll was laid bare on Monday Night Football. Closer to home, the Texans gave their players — including some former teammates of Hamlin's — the day off to have time to reflect. How TCU forged an unlikely path to college football's national championship game. In College Station, Jimbo Fisher's search for an offensive coordinator is proving to be a tough sell. Breaking down tonight's Rockets game in New Orleans. The Astros add to their minor league depth by acquiring outfielder Bligh Madris from the Tigers. Kansas State dominated every which way offensively against No. 6 Texas, sending the Longhorns to a loss in their Big 12 home opener, Stat of the day: 116. Points scored by Kansas State on Tuesday against Texas, the most for an unranked team in a road win against an AP top-10 team during the poll era (since 1948-49), per ESPN Stats & Info.   Greg Rajan Texas Sports Nation editor greg.rajan@chron.com Texans / NFL   Photo: Joshua Bessex, Associated Press The night the NFL stopped When Buffalo's Damar Hamlin collapsed in Cincinnati, the NFL did the right thing to stop the game, but it's only a matter of time until we have to deal with it again, writes Jerome Solomon.   • The human toll. Seeing Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapse in Cincinnati exposed truths about pro football: The risk of life-threatening injury, and that a man's life is more important than the game, writes Ann Killion. • Time to reflect. The Texans gave their players, including a few former teammates of Damar Hamlin, the day off Tuesday as much of the NFL remained on pause. • Possible 'rare' heart condition. A blow to the chest of Bills safety Damar Hamlin may have caused a "chaotic" heart rhythm that led to him collapsing, Houston doctors said. • No resolution this week. The Bills-Bengals game that was suspended Monday night after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest will not be resumed this week. • Sizing up their options. A trio of NFL analysts look at the Texans' options with either the first or second pick in this year's draft. • Podcast: What to do? Jonathan M. Alexander and Brooks Kubena discuss how the Texans should use their top draft pick. College Football   Photo: Stephen Spillman, Associated Press Making of a contender TCU's path to the national title game against Georgia was forged with gritty road wins at West Virginia, Texas and Baylor.   • No easy sell. As Jimbo Fisher's search for an offensive coordinator continues, candidates are understandably wary that the Aggies' coach, who has handled play-calling for years, will have trouble turning over those reins. Rockets / NBA   Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press What to watch for vs. Pelicans Breaking down the first half of a Rockets back-to-back set beginning with tonight's game against the Western Conference contender Pelicans in New Orleans.   Astros / MLB   Photo: Randy Litzinger / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images Adding depth The Astros acquire outfielder Bligh Madris from the Tigers, giving Houston upper-level minor league depth at both corner outfield spots and much-needed roster flexibility.   College Basketball   Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press Defenseless feeling Sixth-ranked Texas had no answers for Kansas State's sizzling offense Tuesday night, dooming the Longhorns to a loss in their Big 12 home opener.      • A year like no other. While UH finished just short of the Final Four in 2022, the calendar year brought a record number of wins for Kelvin Sampson's program. High Schools   Photo: Jerry Baker, Contributor Merchant, Westfield roll Kierra Merchant, a UH signee, led the way with 40 points as the Westfield girls got off to a fast start and cruised past District 14-6A rival Eisenhower.   • Boys basketball: Clear Springs 59, Clear Lake 37. Clear Springs uses a big run to pull away from Clear Lake and remain unbeaten in District 24-6A play. • Go west, young man. Cypress Ranch defensive lineman Ashton Porter becomes the sixth football player from Texas to commit to Oregon this recruiting cycle. Worth a read   • We're all complicit in the NFL's violent spectacle. (New York Times) • Former Ole Miss player Brad Gaines recalls being in Tee Higgins' shoes after Damar Hamlin's collapse. (The Tennessean) • Donovan Mitchell's 71-point game reminded us why the Cavaliers traded so much for him. (The Ringer)   Sponsored Content   Shopping Best deals on Amazon: Get a Fitbit smartwatch for less than $200 today When you know better, you do better. 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