Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that he is taking over defensive play-calling from coordinator Matt Burke. Ryans said the move was not a criticism of Burke and that he wanted to improve communication.

Burke has called the defense's plays since Week 4 of the 2025 season. He has been Houston's defensive coordinator since Ryans became head coach in 2023. Ryans did not disclose whether the team would make any other changes before Sunday's game in Tennessee.

Houston ranked second in points allowed and first in yards allowed in 2025. This season, it ranks 26th and 20th in those categories, respectively. Ryans previously called defensive plays for the Texans and served as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2022.