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Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Could play more early with WRs hurt
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 3:40 PM
Noel could see an expanded opportunity Sunday against the Rams, as both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are dealing with hamstring injuries, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Noel could work in the slot if Kirk sits out, while fellow Iowa State rookie Jayden Higgins starts on the outside opposite Nico Collins. If Berrios doesn't play, Noel could also add punt return responsibilities to his ledger. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Kirk is expected to miss 1-2 weeks as a result of his hamstring injury. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Could sit Week 1
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 3:26 PM
Kirk is dealing with a strained hamstring that is expected to sideline him for at least Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Official confirmation of Kirk's status will arrive when the Texans post their injury report Friday, but Schefter suggests that the wideout could miss time beyond this weekend, with one source estimating that his hamstring strain could be a two-week injury. In such a scenario, rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as well as Xavier Hutchinson would be in line for added opportunities behind top target Nico Collins. |
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Braxton Berrios Braxton Berrios Second straight DNP on Thursday
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 1:28 PM
Berrios (hamstring) isn't practicing Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Berrios and Christian Kirk have both sat out consecutive practices due to hamstring injuries, putting their availability in jeopardy for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Rams. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could be on track to operate in three-receiver sets alongside Nico Collins, and Noel could also get a chance to return punts if Berrios sits out. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Not seen at practice Thursday
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 12:18 PM
Kirk (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: After being held out of practice Wednesday, per Bien-Aime, Kirk wasn't present at the start of Thursday's session, which sets the stage for what he does Friday (if anything) to loom large in terms of his chances to play Sunday against the Rams. If Kirk ends up sidelined this weekend, added opportunities behind Nico Collins would be available for rookie WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, as well as Xavier Hutchinson. |
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Braxton Berrios Braxton Berrios Nursing hamstring injury
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 6:50 PM
Berrios did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: It's unclear when Berrios sustained the injury, but it was severe enough for him to miss Wednesday's practice. He'll have two more days to return to practice and fade an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against the Rams in Los Angeles. Berrios signed a one-year deal with the Texans in March and is slated to see most of his playing time on special teams as a returner. |
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Christian Kirk Christian Kirk DNP due to hamstring injury
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 6:50 PM
Kirk was held out of practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.
Analysis: Houston acquired Kirk from the Jaguars in early March for a 2026 seventh-round pick, after which he and the Texans reworked his contract by the end of that month. He seemingly locked up the No. 2 WR role behind Nico Collins by mid-August, but a new health concern now may threaten his availability for Week 1 and beyond. Getting back on the practice field Thursday and/or Friday will be key for Kirk's potential to play Sunday at the Rams, but if he's limited or out this weekend, rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel would be in line for more targets from QB C.J. Stroud. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Restructures contract with Houston
Tue, Sep 2, 2025, 5:42 PM
The Texans restructured Schultz's contract Tuesday to convert the $11.5 million he was slated to make into a signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: The move to restructure Schultz's 2025 pay from base salary into a signing bonus lowers the Texans' salary cap for this season, and the veteran tight end is still slated to make the $11 million he's owed in 2026. Schultz played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 53 catches (on 85 targets) for 532 yards and two touchdowns, all of which were his lowest since the 2019 campaign as a member of the Cowboys. |
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Davis Mills Davis Mills Receives one-year extension
Tue, Sep 2, 2025, 3:10 PM
Mills and the Texans agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $7 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Mills had been ticketed for free agency next spring, but for the second September in a row, the Texans have given him some extra security in the form of a one-year extension. The $7 million deal is fully guaranteed, which should ensure that Mills faces no real competition for the No. 2 role heading into 2026. He'll be entering his third straight season as C.J. Stroud's backup and won't be in line for anything more than spot duty so long as Stroud is healthy. Through his first two NFL seasons, Stroud has missed just two games, with both absences coming late in his rookie campaign while he recovered from a concussion. |
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Joe Mixon Joe Mixon GM noncommittal on return in 2025
Wed, Aug 27, 2025, 1:27 PM
Texans general manager Nick Caserio declined to answer in the affirmative when asked Wednesday whether Mixon (foot/ankle) will suit up this season, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Mixon is officially out the first four games of the year after having been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Tuesday, but when prompted Wednesday for more clarity about a timetable for his potential return to the field, all Caserio said was that the team will "take it one day at a time," and that players on IR or the NFI lists will be evaluated "after four weeks and see where they are in their progression and then make a determination." Mixon has been sidelined throughout spring activities, training camp and the preseason, leaving Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale as Houston's top backfield options to open the regular season. |
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Juwann Winfree Juwann Winfree Lands on IR with undisclosed injury
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 6:44 PM
The Texans placed Winfree (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: Winfree signed with the Texans on Aug. 18 and played in Saturday's preseason finale against the Lions, when he logged a 26-yard catch on his lone target. The nature and severity of his injury isn't clear, but by being placed on IR without a designation to return, Winfree will be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Houston. |
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Irv Smith Irv Smith Placed on season-ending IR
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 6:38 PM
The Texans placed Smith (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith is dealing with an ankle sprain, which he may have picked up during the Texans' preseason finale against the Lions on Saturday. He was placed on IR without a designation to return, meaning he'll be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Texans. |
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Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Officially out for first four games
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 5:20 PM
The Texans placed Mixon (foot/ankle) on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Tuesday, ruling him out for the first four games of the season.
Analysis: The move has been expected for at least a few days, with Mixon far way from a return and seemingly uncertain to play even later this season. Nick Chubb is the favorite to start in Mixon's place Week 1 against the Rams, although Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale are also in the mix for roles. |
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Tank Dell Tank Dell Moved to reserve/PUP list
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 5:19 PM
The Texans placed Dell (knee) on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.
Analysis: Dell will be required to miss a minimum prerequisite of four regular-season games after having been placed on the reserve/PUP list, though it remains to be see exactly when -- if at all -- Houston expects him to be ready to resume practicing this season. The 2023 third-round pick is recovering from a severe injury sustained last December. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk will kick off the 2025 campaign as C.J. Stroud's clear top two wide receivers, while rookies Jayden Higgens and Jaylin Noel compete for No. 3 reps. |
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Irv Smith Irv Smith Dealing with ankle injury
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 10:09 AM
Smith has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Wilson adds that Smith could be placed on injured reserve. The tight end played 34 offensive snaps this preseason and secured all six of his targets for 52 yards. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb In line for early-season role
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 3:21 PM
With Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) slated to begin the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, Chubb appears to be in line for an expanded role.
Analysis: The Texans will make Mixon's placement on reserve/NFI official Tuesday. Mixon hasn't practiced at all this summer and now will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, leaving the door open for Chubb, rookie Woody Marks and veterans Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale to jockey for backfield work. Chubb was rested for the preseason finale this past weekend, suggesting he's the leader for the early-down role over Pierce. Marks and Ogunbowale profile more as pass-catching backs, though Marks certainly could grow into a larger role. Chubb has played in just 10 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to yet another severe knee injury, and he looked sluggish on 102 carries in 2024, turning them into 332 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns with Cleveland. He also doesn't catch many passes, muting his fantasy appeal. Marks, a fourth-round rookie, comes at a cheaper cost in drafts and is five years younger with less wear and tear on his body. |
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Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Will miss at least four games
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 3:06 PM
Mixon (foot/ankle) is slated to begin the season on reserve/non-football injury list.
Analysis: Mixon, who currently is on the active/non-football injury list due to foot and ankle issues, officially will land on reserve/NFI on Tuesday afternoon, a move that will result in the running back missing at least the first four games of the regular season. In Mixon's looming absence, Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Woody Marks are the team's top available backfield options ahead of Week 1. |
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Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Expected to earn roster spot
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 7:45 AM
Hutchinson is on the Texans' initial 53-man roster projection, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com.
Analysis: Hutchinson finished out the preseason Saturday, snagging his lone target for 24 yards while working with the first-team offense on Houston's first series. His path to the roster was made a lot clearer when the Texans traded John Metchie to the Eagles earlier in camp. Hutchinson is expected to fill a depth role, possibly behind one or both of the wideouts the Texans drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. |
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Dare Ogunbowale Dare Ogunbowale Projected for 53-man
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 7:07 AM
Ogunbowale is expected to earn a roster spot in the initial 53-man roster projection compiled by DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com.
Analysis: This is not shocking news, as Ogunbowale has organizational history on his side. He's filled a third-down role for the last three seasons in Houston and served on special teams. He's even been used as an emergency kicker. There could be an early-season bump in activity if Joe Mixon (ankle) opens the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list. |
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British Brooks British Brooks On roster bubble
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 7:00 AM
Brooks is one of five running backs projected to make the initial 53-man roster, per DJ Bein-Aime of ESPN.com.
Analysis: There's a big caveat to Brooks grabbing one of those spots; it may depend on whether the Texans have Joe Mixon (ankle) open the season on the reserve/non-football injury list. Brooks has experience on special teams and at fullback, so that versatility could win him a spot outright, but the most likely path involves Mixon being unavailable for Week 1. |
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Jawhar Jordan Jawhar Jordan Leads backs in preseason finale
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 6:55 AM
Jordan had 13 carries for 55 yards in Saturday's 26-7 preseason win over the Lions.
Analysis: All of Jordan's work came during the second half of the preseason finale, which indicates the Texans are unlikely to grant him a spot on the initial 53-man roster. There may be an available spot if Joe Mixon (ankle) opens the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list, but that opening could go to British Brooks, who brings versatility on special teams and an ability to play fullback. |
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