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Justin Watson Justin Watson Should return in 2025 Wed, Oct 8, 2025, 7:49 AM Houston executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Watson (calf/Achilles) to return later this season, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Watson sustained the injury in Week 2 and landed on injured reserve, which requires him to miss at least four games. Judging from Caserio's comments, Wilson will likely miss more time than the minimum. While responding to questions about the team's injured players, the GM put Watson in a bucket of players whose timeline is less definitive than others. Watson served as a backup through the first two weeks, when Christian Kirk was unavailable due to a hamstring injury. When Watson is healthy, he's unlikely to have much of a role.
Cade Stover Cade Stover Expected to return this season Wed, Oct 8, 2025, 7:41 AM Houston executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Stover (foot) to return at some point in 2025, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Stover suffered a broken foot in the season-opening loss to the Rams and was placed on injured reserve, which ensures at least four missed games. Caserio's comments suggest the tight end will be unavailable beyond the four-week minimum. While addressing the status of Houston's injured players, the GM lumped Stover into a group whose return timeline is "not as definitive" as it is with some other players.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Status for 2025 in limbo Tue, Oct 7, 2025, 10:23 AM Texans general manager Nick Caserio suggested Tuesday that Mixon's (foot/ankle) availability for the 2025 season hasn't yet been determined, but Houston expects to have more clarity on that front in the next three or four weeks, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Caserio's comments during his press conference mark the first time that a member of the Houston brass has addressed Mixon's status since the start of the regular season. The veteran running back was placed on the non-football injury list ahead of training camp after getting hurt during an individual workout in the spring, and the Texans have been non-committal on a timeline for his return ever since. Given that the Texans aren't yet hinting that Mixon will even resume practicing in the near future, the 29-year-old doesn't look like he's on track to be an option in the Houston backfield until late in the season, if at all. The Texans are likely to continue to lean on a timeshare of Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks at running back for the foreseeable future.
Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Snap count increasing Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 7:08 AM Higgins caught all four targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens in Week 5. Analysis: Higgins was on the field for a season-high 39 snaps (56 percent share), as the rookie's role has steadily increased. Sunday's four targets also were a season high.
Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Scores first NFL TD Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 6:58 AM Noel caught two of three targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 44-10 win over Baltimore in Week 5. He also had one carry for five yards, one kickoff return for 31 yards and one punt return for 12 yards. Analysis: Noel was on the receiving end of a four-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud early in the fourth quarter that upped Houston's advantage to 41-10. It was the first NFL touchdown for the rookie wideout, who then engendered some ill on the road by mimicking the dance of legendary Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis. Noel, who has five catches (on seven targets) for 22 yards through five games, has mostly contributed on special teams as a returner.
Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Reaches paydirt twice Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 6:51 AM Hutchinson caught all three of his targets for 18 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens in Week 5. Analysis: Hutchinson had gone 36 games into his NFL career without reaching pay dirt prior to Sunday's two-TD outburst. Noted for his hard work and willingness to do the dirty job of blocking, Hutchinson was rewarded with three red-zone looks in the win. He now has 12 receptions, tying his career high set last year, for 110 yards through five games. His place in the Texans offense was uncertain after the team drafted two wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he's maintained a high volume of playing time, as his 205 snaps (64.9 percent share) are second only to Nico Collins (252, 79.7 percent).
British Brooks British Brooks Logs two carries in win Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 6:42 AM Brooks had two rushes for 15 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over Baltimore in Week 5. Analysis: Brooks was one of five running backs for the game and played 11 snaps. Houston won its second consecutive game while running the ball more than passing it, which may explain why so many backs were active. Brooks had been a healthy scratch Weeks 1 and 3 before suiting up the last two games.
Dameon Pierce Dameon Pierce Gets garbage-time snaps Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 6:33 AM Pierce had seven carries for 21 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens in Week 5. Analysis: Active for the first time since Week 1, Pierce played a season-high 16 snaps, and all his carries came in the fourth quarter after Houston built a 41-10 lead. Nick Chubb and Woody Marks are clearly at the top of the depth chart, and it's unclear why head coach DeMeco Ryans would make Pierce active following three consecutive healthy scratches.
Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Narrowly misses out on TD Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 8:55 PM Kirk recorded four receptions on four targets for 64 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. Analysis: Kirk had his best day as a Texan due primarily to a 47-yard catch to start the fourth quarter, narrowly missing a touchdown while being taken down at the three yard line. Houston has spread its targets relatively evenly between several different pass catchers early this season, leaving Kirk with only four targets in consecutive games. That limited volume will hurt his fantasy outlook, though Sunday's big play was encouraging.
Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Solid showing against Baltimore Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 8:44 PM Schultz recorded five receptions on six targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. Analysis: Schultz was C.J. Stroud's favorite target in the first half, recording four receptions on four targets for 53 yards. Schultz played a key role on multiple scoring drives for Houston, recording 11 and 12-yard receptions to keep a pair of possessions alive on third down before logging a 21-yard catch to set up a touchdown just before halftime. This was Schultz's highest yardage total of the season, and he has five receptions in three consecutive contests.
Woody Marks Woody Marks Limited to seven touches Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 6:51 PM Marks rushed the ball seven times for 24 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. He did not catch his only target. Analysis: Marks rotated within drives with Nick Chubb for most of the game, but he still ended up with four fewer carries. Neither back was able to get much going, and three of Marks' seven carries went for one yard or less. While it was a disappointing follow-up to what appeared to be a breakout performance in Week 5, game script didn't help as Houston pulled most of its offensive starters early in the fourth quarter.
Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Out-touches Marks Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 6:30 PM Chubb rushed the ball 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. He did not catch his only target. Analysis: Chubb looked to be losing his grip as the clear leader of the Houston backfield after Week 4, though he out-touched rookie Woody Marks 11-7 in Sunday's blowout win. Despite Baltimore playing without several of their run-stopping defenders, Chubb was held in check for much of the day. However, he broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown scamper early in the third quarter to account for nearly half of his yardage. The positive game script likely benefitted Chubb relative to Marks, but it appears clear that Chubb will continue to retain a role in the offense in the short term.
C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Crushes short-handed Ravens Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 4:57 PM Stroud completed 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. He added one rush for 30 yards. Analysis: Stroud faced a thinned version of the Baltimore defense that was missing Kyle Hamilton (groin), Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) in its secondary alone. He took advantage of the good spot, throwing more than three touchdowns for only the second time in his career while completing three passes of at least 20 yards. Stroud was ultimately pulled early in the fourth quarter due to the game being a blowout, but it was a positive fantasy performance and also a good showing for the Houston offense overall.
Nico Collins Nico Collins Finds end zone in blowout win Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 4:13 PM Collins recorded four receptions on five targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 44-10 win over the Ravens. Analysis: It was a solid day for Collins, highlighted by long gains of 24 and 14 yards as well as a 10-yard touchdown. However, he finished third on the team in receiving yards and was out-targeted by Dalton Schultz. That was likely affected by game script -- C.J. Stroud attempted only 10 passes in the second half and was benched for most of the fourth quarter -- but Collins has now seen six or fewer targets and recorded under 55 receiving yards in three of five games this season. His three touchdowns have covered up some of that lack of volume, but Collins hasn't put up the big reception or target totals expected entering the season.
Dameon Pierce Dameon Pierce In uniform Sunday Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 10:58 AM Pierce is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens. Analysis: Pierce is back in the Texans' RB mix in Week 5, but with Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks also on hand, it remains to be seen what sort of snap share/volume Pierce might see Sunday. In one game thus far, Pierce has logged three carries for five yards.
Nico Collins Nico Collins Churns out full practice Thu, Oct 2, 2025, 4:23 PM Collins (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Analysis: Collins had his reps capped Wednesday to begin Week 5 prep due to the knee issue, but his ability to practice fully a day later erases any concern about his availability for Sunday's game at Baltimore. After being limited to three receptions in both of the Texans' first two contests, Collins has picked up the pace the past two weeks, putting together a 12-183-1 line on 17 targets. He'll have a good opportunity to continue his strong run Sunday while facing off against a 31st-ranked Baltimore pass defense (265.8 passing yards allowed per game) that is expected to be without multiple key contributors in the secondary.
Nico Collins Nico Collins Limited at practice Wednesday Wed, Oct 1, 2025, 4:33 PM Collins (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday. Analysis: Collins was also limited by a listed knee issue last Wednesday before practicing fully both Thursday and Friday and approaching Week 4 action without an injury designation. With no reported setbacks in this past Sunday's 26-0 win over the Titans -- a game in which Collins handled an 86 percent snap share and caught four of his six targets for 79 yards -- there's a decent chance he'll follow the same pattern ahead of this weekend's contest against the Ravens.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Not ready to return Tue, Sep 30, 2025, 9:24 AM Mixon (foot) is not ready to be activated off the reserve/non-football injury list this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: The veteran back can be activated as soon as Week 5, but Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked twice during Monday's session with reporters and declined to provide any kind of estimated return date for Mixon, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. While there's no official word, it doesn't appear he is close to returning. In the meantime, Woody Marks, fresh off a breakout performance in Week 4, and Nick Chubb will continue to share the bulk of the backfield work.
C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Growing comfortable with new scheme Tue, Sep 30, 2025, 8:36 AM Stroud's pre-snap reads were instrumental to the 24-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 26-0 win over the Titans in Week 4, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Warren gets into the weeds, outlining the pre-snap reads, adjustments and execution of the play, but the main point is that Stroud may have found his groove in the new offense. That offense, put in place by new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, involves Stroud taking more control. It may have taken three-and-a-half games to click in, as the quarterback completed 11 of 13 attempts (eight different targets) for 144 yards while directing touchdown drives on successive possessions from late in the third quarter and into the fourth. Following an ugly 0-3 start and head coach DeMeco Ryans' defense of Caley, Stroud's intuition and execution of the offense may extend forward to Week 5 on the road against the Ravens.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Not close to returning Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 11:34 AM Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Mixon (foot) is not close to a return to the field, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Mixon is on the reserve/non-football injury list and is eligible to begin practicing this week, but Ryans suggested that's not going to happen anytime soon. Ryans even admitted he doesn't know if Mixon will play this season. Woody Marks had a breakout Week 4 performance against the Titans in Week 4 and appears poised to take more control of the backfield alongside Nick Chubb moving forward.