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Dameon Pierce Dameon Pierce Four touches in playoff loss Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8:53 AM Pierce had four carries for 10 yards and failed to hold onto his lone target in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. Analysis: Pierce played 14 snaps in a minimal role behind starter Joe Mixon, as was the case all season when both backs were healthy. It'll be status quo in 2025, as both he and Mixon are under contract for next season. It will be Pierce's final season under his rookie contract, and he'll become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. He ended the regular season with 40 carries for 293 yards and two touchdowns over 11 games played. As a receiver, Pierce caught two of four targets for two yards.
Irv Smith Irv Smith One catch in playoff loss Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8:42 AM Smith caught his lone target for two yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round playoff loss to the Chiefs. Analysis: Smith moved up the depth chart after Houston placed Cade Stover (collarbone) on injured reserve. Smith was a late-season addition to the active roster, as the Texans dealt with long-term and ephemeral injuries at the position, and was never targeted during the regular season. He enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Robert Woods Robert Woods Minimal role in playoff exit Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8:10 AM Woods was not targeted and did not attempt a punt return in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to the Chiefs. Analysis: Woods battled a hip injury all week but was deemed available, though he may not have been 100 percent. The 32-year-old wideout was on the field for just six offensive snaps and twice while on special teams. Woods spent much of the regular season as a depth receiver and only recently was elevated to the top three after season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Woods finished the regular season with 20 catches on 30 targets for 203 yards and zero touchdowns, the lowest productivity across his 12 NFL seasons. Woods enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Makes four catches against KC Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 7:32 PM Hutchinson caught four of six targets for 52 yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. He added 56 yards on two kickoff returns. Analysis: The second-year wideout put together a career-best game in a losing effort, working as the Texans' No. 2 WR behind Nico Collins, while John Metchie saw only two targets but caught them both for 35 yards. Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, managed only a 12-117-0 line on 26 targets over 16 regular-season games, but his ability to contribute on special teams should give him a leg up in the battle for a depth receiver role in 2025, even if Houston adds reinforcements at the position in free agency or the draft.
Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Four grabs in divisional-round loss Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 7:27 PM Schultz caught all four of his targets for 63 yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. Analysis: The veteran tight end was on the other end of C.J. Stroud's longest completion of the day, a 34-yard connection on the Texans' first possession that helped set up a field goal. Schultz suited up for every game in 2024, the first time he'd accomplished that since he was a Cowboy in 2021, but even with the Texans dealing with a number of injuries to their wide receiver room, he didn't see an increase in his production of target volume. He posted a 53-532-2 line on 85 targets over 17 regular-season contests before adding six catches for 86 yards on eight targets over two postseason appearances. Schultz has two years and $22 million left on his current contract, and given the middling impact he made in 2024, it's possible the Texans consider making him a cap casualty this offseason.
Nico Collins Nico Collins Leading receiver in Saturday's loss Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 7:20 PM Collins caught five of eight targets for 81 yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. Analysis: The fourth-year wideout was C.J. Stroud's top option as per usual, leading the Texans in catches, targets and receiving yards on the afternoon. Like most of the team's wideout group, Collins dealt with injuries in 2024, but he still wrapped up the regular season with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven TDs on 99 targets over 12 games, before adding a 12-203-1 line on 16 targets in Houston's two postseason contests. Having already signed a contract extension in May, Collins should be locked in atop the depth chart next season.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Hits century mark in playoff exit Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 7:16 PM Mixon carried the ball 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. Analysis: The running back broke free for a 13-yard TD scamper in the third quarter that should have tied the game at 13-13, but Ka'imi Fairbairn missed the extra point. Mixon reached the century mark in scrimmage yards and got into the end zone in both of Houston's playoff games this season, an emphatic end to his first campaign with the Texans that saw him churn out 1,325 combined yards and 12 total TDs over 14 regular-season contests. Mixon has two years and $15 million left on the contract he signed in March 2024, and there's little reason to think the team will be looking to get out from under the deal this offseason.
C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Can't escape Kansas City pass rush Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 7:01 PM Stroud completed 19 of 28 passes for 245 yards without a touchdown or an interception in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City. He added 42 rushing yards on six carries. Analysis: The story of the game was the Texans;' offensive line's inability to protect Stroud. The second-year QB was brought down eight times, three times by George Karlaftis alone, and he needed help getting off the field after the last sack late in the fourth quarter while apparently dealing with a foot or ankle injury. He did return for the final play however, a kneel-down with seven seconds left, so Stroud would seem to be OK. His overall body of work took a step back from his rookie campaign, and Stroud completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,727 yards and a 20:12 TD:INT over 17 regular-season games while also being sacked 52 times -- 14 more than in 2023. Injuries to his wide receiver corps played a role in Stroud's regression, but expect Houston to focus on upgrading his protection this offseason as well.
J.J. Taylor J.J. Taylor Not needed for divisional round Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 2:20 PM Taylor (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round clash against Kansas City. Analysis: Taylor was elevated from Houston's practice squad Friday as a consequence of lead running back Joe Mixon (ankle) being deemed questionable to face the Chiefs. However, Mixon is active Saturday, so Taylor isn't needed for depth in the backfield. Taylor played in five games during the regular season, with his most recent action coming in Week 10 versus Detroit.
Robert Woods Robert Woods Available Saturday Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 2:06 PM Woods (hip) is active for Saturday's divisional-round game at Kansas City. Analysis: Woods was held out of practice all week due to a hip injury, but it won't stop him from being available for the Texans' second playoff outing. In three contests since Tank Dell (torn ACL) joined Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) as out for the season, Woods has hauled in exactly two passes in each of the last three games for a 6-82-0 line on nine targets.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Suiting up for divisional round Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 2:02 PM Mixon (ankle) is listed as active for Saturday's divisional-round game at Kansas City. Analysis: The Texans tacked on Mixon to their injury report Wednesday as limited due to an ankle injury, which kept him off the practice field entirely Thursday. Despite receiving a questionable tag for the second round of the playoffs, he'll be available to Houston's backfield Saturday, but he also may yield some snaps and touches to backups Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale. In 15 appearances, including last Saturday's win against the Chargers, this season, Mixon has averaged 20.5 touches for 96.3 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring 13 total TDs.
J.J. Taylor J.J. Taylor Promoted as insurance option Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3:09 PM The Texans announced Friday that Taylor has been elevated from the practice squad for Saturday's road divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs. Analysis: Taylor will be available for Houston as insurance behind Joe Mixon (ankle), who is officially listed as questionable. The starting running back appears to be trending in the right direction, however, and even if Mixon were to miss time, Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale would stand to handle the majority of the Texans' backfield reps.
Andrew Beck Andrew Beck Elevated for divisional round Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 2:59 PM The Texans promoted Beck to the active roster Friday, making him eligible to play during Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs. Analysis: Beck will contribute as a key blocker for Houston's offense with Teagan Quitoriano (calf) already ruled out for Saturday's contest. Across four regular-season appearances in 2024, Beck was targeted twice but did not record a reception.
Teagan Quitoriano Teagan Quitoriano Ruled out for Saturday Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 2:01 PM The Texans announced Friday that Quitoriano (calf) has been downgraded to out for Saturday's divisional-round road game against the Chiefs. Analysis: Quitoriano was initially labeled as questionable for the AFC divisional round, but he won't be activated from IR in time to suit up versus Kansas City. His 21-day practice window is nearing its conclusion, so even if Houston emerges victorious over Kansas City, it's unclear whether Quitoriano will have a chance to return down the stretch during the playoffs.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Solid chance to face Chiefs Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 9:49 AM Mixon (ankle), who officially is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round contest against the Chiefs, has a "very, very real chance to play," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Per Rapoport, the ankle injury that caused Mixon to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday and miss Thursday's session isn't particularly serious, and he can be considered on track to play Saturday barring any unforeseen setbacks. Official word on the status of the Texans' top backfield option will be revealed no later than 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Houston has backups Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale on hand in the event that Mixon is limited or unavailable due to his ankle issue.
Teagan Quitoriano Teagan Quitoriano Questionable for divisional round Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 4:45 PM Quitoriano (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's AFC divisional-round clash against Kansas City. Analysis: Quitoriano has been on injured reserve since Nov. 28, but he was able to practice all week and has put himself in a position to be activated from IR ahead of Saturday's playoff game. Quitoriano didn't register a target across seven regular-season games, and if he was cleared to play, he would serve as a run-blocking tight end behind starter Dalton Schultz.
Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Cleared to face Kansas City Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 4:25 PM Schultz (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. Analysis: After being deemed limited Tuesday and Wednesday, Schultz practiced fully Thursday, paving the way for him to lead Houston's tight end corps in the team's second postseason contest. In last weekend's 32-12 wild-card win over the Chargers, Schultz -- who logged a 53-532-2 receiving line in 17 regular-season outings -- caught two of his four targets for 23 yards.
Robert Woods Robert Woods Questionable after another 'DNP' Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 4:17 PM Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. Analysis: Woods was listed as a non-participant in practice Tuesday through Thursday, which clouds his status for the Texans' 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. If Woods is unavailable versus Kansas City, added snaps would be available for John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson behind top wideout Nico Collins.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Questionable for Saturday Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 4:12 PM Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. Analysis: After being added to the Texans' injury report Wednesday following a limited practice, Mixon was deemed a non-participant Thursday. The starting running back's status thus is worth monitoring closely as Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if Mixon is limited or out versus Kansas City, Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale would be in line to see added backfield work for Houston.
Robert Woods Robert Woods Misses practice again Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 4:24 PM Woods (hip) didn't practice Wednesday. Analysis: With back-to-back 'DNPs' Tuesday and Wednesday in the books, Thursday's session should loom large with regard to Woods' chances of playing in Saturday's divisional-round game against the Chiefs. If the veteran wideout is limited or out this weekend, added snaps behind top option Nico Collins would be freed up for John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson.