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Braxton Berrios Braxton Berrios Given return duties only
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 7:27 AM
Berrios returned two kickoffs for 49 yards and did not appear on offense in Sunday's 18-15 loss to Denver in Week 9.
Analysis: After recording five catches in Week 8, when Houston was without Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, Berrios was limited to special-teams-duty Sunday due to the return of the team's top two wideouts. If the Texans' season slips away -- they are 3-5 and outside the playoff picture for now -- any offensive role for the veteran Berrios could disappear, as Houston would likely want to give more looks to rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel instead. |
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Harrison Bryant Harrison Bryant Logs one reception in loss
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 7:08 AM
Bryant caught one of two targets for two yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Bryant played a usual role, serving as the backup tight end to Dalton Schultz, who missed a couple of practice sessions leading up to the game. Though six appearances on the season, Bryant has recorded two catches for six yards on six targets. |
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British Brooks British Brooks Receives two red-zone carries
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 7:01 AM
Brooks had two carries for zero yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos in Week 9.
Analysis: Brooks was surprisingly allotted two consecutive carries at the goal-line in the first quarter and was stuffed by Denver's interior line on both. Those were two of the five running plays called inside the Broncos' two-yard line during the game that failed to get into the end zone, and Houston failed to produce a touchdown in three red-zone possessions. Brooks has four total carries for 15 yards this season and is a regular on special teams. |
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Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Mostly invisible in Week 9 loss
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 6:30 AM
Noel was untargeted, had one carry for minus-3 yards and returned four punts for 62 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to Denver in Week 9.
Analysis: Following a couple of productive weeks during which Houston was without top wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, Noel was nearly invisible on offense with the veterans back on the field. Noel was reduced to impacting the game on special teams, which he did early in the third quarter on a 45-yard punt return to set up the team's final score. The presence of Collins and Kirk dampened the involvement of both Noel and fellow rookie wideout Jayden Higgins (one target). The loss of starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) may have also played a role. The Texans gained just 87 yards on seven second-half possessions and punted on its final six drives with Davis Mills under center. |
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Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Returns to depth role in Week 9
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 6:10 AM
Higgins caught his lone target for four yards and played 35 snaps in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos in Week 9.
Analysis: Higgins, who had eight targets and 66 snaps last week, experienced a significant reduction in workload and volume due to the returns of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. In the six games when all the Texans' wideouts have been healthy in 2025, Higgins is averaging 30 snaps and 2.5 targets per game. For now, he's fourth on the depth chart, behind Xavier Hutchinson and slightly ahead of fellow rookie Jaylin Noel, who was limited to 11 offensive snaps and went untargeted Sunday. |
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Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Targeted five times in loss
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 5:56 AM
Hutchinson caught three of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to Denver in Week 9.
Analysis: The returns of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk were expected to impact Hutchinson's relevance, but his targets remained high by his standards. The third-year wideout is averaging five targets per game over the last three weeks after opening the season with three per game prior to Houston's Week 6 bye. He continued to hold off rookies Jayden Higgins (one target) and Jaylin Noel (zero) for the WR3 role. Starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) was removed in the second quarter of Sunday's loss and replaced by backup Davis Mills, who led the offense for 11 possessions but led the Texans to just 15.6 yards per drive on average. If Stroud misses further time, it would impact the ceiling of all the team's skill players. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Leads Houston in receiving yards
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:48 PM
Schultz caught six of eight targets for a team-high 77 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: The veteran tight end did most of his damage on a 47-yard reception from C.J. Stroud (concussion) in the first quarter to set up Houston's first of five field goals on the afternoon. Schultz wound up second on the team in receptions behind Nico Collins' seven, but the ceiling for the entire Texans passing attack was downgraded when Davis Mills replaced Stroud early in the second quarter. If Mills gets the start in Week 10 against the Jaguars, Schultz should still be a reliable possession option given his impressive 17-199-0 line on 21 targets over three games since Houston's bye. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Snags four passes in return
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:42 PM
Kirk caught four of eight targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: The veteran slot receiver saw his first action since Week 5 after recovering from a hamstring strain, and Kirk finished second on the Texans in targets while catching passes from both C.J. Stroud (concussion) and Davis Mills. The volume is encouraging, and Kirk has logged at least three receptions in all four games he's been healthy enough to play in this season. He'll still be a much less appealing fantasy option, even in PPR formats, if Stroud ends up sitting out a Week 10 contest against the Jaguars. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins Team-high seven grabs Sunday
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:36 PM
Collins caught seven of 11 targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: The star wideout returned from a one-game absence due to a concussion, and he took advantage of Patrick Surtain (pectoral) being missing from the Denver secondary by leading Houston in catches and targets. Collins' production took a hit when C.J. Stroud (concussion) was knocked out of the game in the second quarter, however. Collins remained the top option for Davis Mills, but he doesn't have the same chemistry with the team's backup QB. If Stroud remains sidelined in Week 10 against the Jaguars, Collins may be more of a floor than a ceiling play for fantasy purposes despite his 33-414-3 line on 57 targets through seven games this season. |
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Woody Marks Woody Marks Quiet in loss to Denver
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:29 PM
Marks carried the ball 10 times for 27 yards and failed to catch any of his three targets in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: The rookie split the workload with Nick Chubb almost equally, but neither RB was able to gain much yardage. Marks has seen double-digit carries in three straight games, compiling 104 rushing yards on just 3.4 yards per carry and adding a 7-69-1 line on 12 targets, and he's not making much of a case to pass Chubb on the depth chart completely. The Texans saw C.J. Stroud (concussion) leave Sunday's game early, and if he gets replaced under center by Davis Mills in Week 10, it could mean a bigger emphasis on the ground attack against the Jaguars. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Makes little impact in Week 9
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:20 PM
Chubb carried the ball 11 times for 34 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: The veteran split the backfield workload with rookie Woody Marks, and while Chubb led the Texans in rushing, it was still a tepid showing. The former Brown has yet to top 61 rushing yards in a game this season, and while he's gotten double-digit carries in six of eight contests, there have been very few flashes of his pre-injury form. Houston could lean more heavily on its ground game in Week 10 against the Jaguars, however, if C.J. Stroud (concussion) remains sidelined and Davis Mills is under center. |
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Davis Mills Davis Mills Called on in relief Sunday
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 5:05 PM
Mills completed 17 of 30 passes for 137 yards in Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Broncos. He added seven rushing yards on two carries.
Analysis: C.J. Stroud was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter and was diagnosed with a concussion, leaving the offense in the hands of Mills for the rest of the afternoon. The fifth-year QB was able to lead four scoring drives for the Texans but wasn't able to get the ball into the end zone, and that lack of TDs proved costly in the end. If Stroud isn't cleared through the concussion protocol in time to return in Week 10, Mills would get his first start of the season against the Jaguars. |
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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Not returning to Sunday's contest
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 2:04 PM
Stroud (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Before sustaining a concussion and being replaced by Davis Mills, Stroud completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 79 yards and carried twice for 12 yards. Stroud will now look to clear concussion protocol ahead of next Sunday's game against the Jaguars. |
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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Exits Sunday's game
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 12:53 PM
Stroud, who was forced out of Sunday's game against the Broncos, is being evaluated for a concussion.
Analysis: Prior to exiting the contest, Stroud had completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 79 yards and carried twice for 12 yards. In his absence, Davis Mills is in at quarterback for the Texans. |
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Dameon Pierce Dameon Pierce Inactive Sunday
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 10:45 AM
Pierce (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: The running back is now a healthy scratch for the fifth time in eight games this season. Nick Chubb and Woody Marks continue to hold down Houston's backfield. Pierce has played on just 23 offensive snaps this year, carrying the ball 10 times for 26 yards and no scores. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Active versus Denver
Sun, Nov 2, 2025, 10:34 AM
Schultz (knee/shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: After not practicing either Wednesday or Thursday, Schultz logged a full practice Friday, which set the stage for him to be available versus Denver. Through seven games thus far, the tight end leads the Texans in catches (32) and is second in targets (40) and receiving yards (308), a production level that keeps him on the fantasy lineup radar in Week 9. Meanwhile, the team is getting WRs Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) back Sunday, but Schultz should nonetheless continue to see his share of looks from QB C.J. Stroud in the absence of any in-game setbacks. Harrison Bryant is the only other Houston TE active Sunday, with the team having opted to not elevate either Dalton Keene or Luke Lachey from the practice squad. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Expected to play Sunday
Sat, Nov 1, 2025, 10:55 PM
Schultz, who is questionable to suit up Sunday against Denver, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Schultz logged a DNP/DNP/FP practice progression during the week, which has set him up to likely play against the Broncos. He'll look to rebound after posting season-low totals of two catches and 24 receiving yards against San Francisco in Week 8. |
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Jakob Johnson Jakob Johnson Won't return for Week 9
Sat, Nov 1, 2025, 8:16 PM
Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Johnson landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury after Week 3 and returned to practice Wednesday. He turned in full practice sessions Thursday and Friday but will wait until at least Week 10 to be activated. |
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Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Will have competition Week 9
Sat, Nov 1, 2025, 11:12 AM
Hutchinson could see a reduction in targets Week 9 against Denver, as both Nico Collins and Christian Kirk shed their injury designations Friday.
Analysis: Hutchinson experienced an uptick in targets the last two weeks when both Collins and Kirk were impacted by injuries, but their returns should suppress Hutchinson's production. He typically sees a high snap volume whether or not the team is dealing with injuries to other receivers, so Hutchinson will be on the field often and still in a position to make some kind of impact. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Ready to return Week 9
Sat, Nov 1, 2025, 11:07 AM
Kirk (hamstring) logged a full practice Friday and carries no injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Both Kirk and Nico Collins (concussion) were full participants Friday and enter Week 9 with no designation. Kirk missed the last two games and four overall this season due to a balky hamstring. That's limited him to 10 catches, 109 yards and zero touchdowns over three games. |
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