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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Throwing at mandatory minicamp Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 10:36 AM Stroud (shoulder) is throwing at the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Stroud is on the field for the start of 7-on-7 drills with the first-team offense, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, and a video recorded by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston shows the third-year quarterback participating in padded throwing drills without any apparent discomfort. Coach DeMeco Ryans consistently downplayed Stroud's right shoulder soreness during voluntary OTAs, saying he had "no concerns," and the 2023 first-round pick is indeed now ready to resume building chemistry with a new wide receiver corps that adds veteran Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel behind No. 1 option Nico Collins.
Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Inks one-year deal with Texans Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 5:23 PM Chubb and the Texans officially agreed to a one-year contract Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Chubb's 2023 campaign was cut short by ACL, MCL and meniscus tears in his left knee, and upon his return Week 7 of last season, he topped out at 59 rushing yards among his eight appearances before suffering a fracture in his left foot Week 15, ending the year on injured reserve. Prior to those injuries, he had put together four straight 1,000-yard seasons on the ground for the Browns, but with Joe Mixon (lower body) entrenched as Houston's top running back for 2025, Chubb likely will be relegated to a complementary role while potentially competing for reps with Dameon Pierce and rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks, considering Chubb's deal has a base salary of $2.5 million.
Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Expected to join Houston Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 5:31 PM The Texans plan to sign Chubb on Monday pending a successful physical, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Chubb suffered a season-ending foot fracture in mid-December, and he became a free agent after his contract with the Browns officially expired in March. The 29-year-old did not undergo surgery this offseason, so Monday's physical will provide some important clarity as the Texans look to bolster their rushing game. Chubb also missed the first six games last season while recovering from a torn left ACL suffered in September of 2023. The four-time Pro Bowler's production plummeted last season with the least efficient campaign of his career, logging 102 carries for 332 yards and three touchdowns. He's now set to join a running back room headlined by another notable veteran in Joe Mixon, who tallied 245 carries for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first season in Houston last year. The Texans have last year's No. 2 running back, Dameon Pierce, along with rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks, still on the roster as well. Given the wear and tear Chubb has sustained over the last couple of years, and pending a successful physical, he'll likely vie with Pierce for a role as the primary backup behind Mixon this coming season.
C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Managing sore throwing shoulder Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 11:36 AM Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday that Stroud is dealing with "general soreness" related to his right throwing shoulder, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Stroud was kept from throwing early at voluntary OTAs due to what was initially called a minor pectoral injury, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston now reports the third-year quarterback is dealing with muscle tightness in his throwing shoulder. Still, Ryans repeated that there are "no concerns" with Stroud, per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com, and that the team is "taking extra precaution with him, but he'll be good to go." Stroud still has ample time, roughly a month and a half, to get fully healthy for the start of training camp. The most notable consequence of his current absence from practice is missing early opportunities to build chemistry with new wideouts Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, but the majority of such reps will be taken during training camp and the preseason. At that stage, Stroud will also face the challenge of adapting to a new-look offensive line that may take a step backwards, even after struggling in 2024, due to the trade of Laremy Tunsil to Washington.
Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Back on practice field Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 11:13 AM Schultz (leg) is on the practice field Tuesday for voluntary OTAs, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Schultz missed a handful of days early at OTAs due to an apparent leg injury, but he already appears over the minor issue. Now heading into his age-29 season and third year catching passes from C.J. Stroud (pectoral), Schultz is competing for targets in a pass-catching corps led by Nico Collins that remains crowded despite the departure of Stefon Diggs (ACL) for New England, and Tank Dell (ACL) being a candidate to miss significant time. Houston acquired veteran slot receiver Christian Kirk via a trade with Jacksonville early in the offseason, then added early-round wideouts in the second (Jayden Higgins) and third (Jaylin Noel) rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Schultz remains entrenched over Brevin Jordan (ACL) and Cade Stover (collarbone) as the Texans' top tight end, but his ceiling seems to be as either the third or fourth option in Houston's passing game.
C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Managing minor pectoral issue Fri, May 30, 2025, 6:39 PM Stroud isn't currently throwing during voluntary team activities due to a tight pectoral, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Stroud watched from the sideline Friday during practice while backup quarterback Davis Mills ran the offense. Per Wilson, Stroud's injury isn't considered a long-term problem, and the star QB could increase his activity as soon as next week. Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley downplayed the issue Friday, saying that there are "no concerns whatsoever" about Stroud, echoing what coach DeMeco Ryans stated earlier in the week.
Joe Mixon Joe Mixon Missing OTAs with minor injury Fri, May 30, 2025, 11:18 AM Mixon (lower body) is not participating in voluntary team activities Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Mixon has sported a walking boot recently due to an injury Wilson's sources describe as minor, though head coach DeMeco Ryans has yet to comment on the starting running back's status. All expectations remain that Mixon will be a full-go for the start of training camp in late July, if not mandatory minicamp in June. Mixon's inaugural season with Houston saw him dominate backfield reps, compiling 245 carries for 1,016 yards (4.1 YPC) and eight scores across 14 regular-season appearances, while adding 36 grabs for 309 yards (on 52 targets) and another score. While Mixon faded in terms of efficiency down the stretch of the regular season, he managed a surge during the Texans' two playoff contests, combining for 43 carries for 194 yards and two scores. Mixon remains secure in a workhorse role entering his age-29 season, with Dameon Pierce and Woody Marks compete for No. 2 reps.
Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Taking part in practice Wed, May 28, 2025, 1:46 PM Kirk (collarbone) is participating in on-field positional drills at OTAs on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Kirk no longer looks hindered by the broken collarbone that ended his 2024 season in Jacksonville after just eight games. The Texans traded for Kirk early March then selected two rookies out of Iowa State in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, in the form of Jayden Higgins (second round) and Jaylin Noel (third round). Even with Tank Dell (knee) nursing a serious enough injury that he could miss most, or all, of the upcoming season, Higgins and Noel represent notable competition for targets behind No. 1 wideout Nico Collins. At 6-foot-4, 212 pounds with 4.47 speed, Higgins is a physical clone of Collins capable of joining him on the boundary, while Noel's smaller frame and 4.39 speed seemingly positions him to begin as a deep threat. That leaves Kirk with a clear path to dominate slot reps, with the catch being that Noel could eventually compete for such snaps, and Houston's other wideouts could emerge as higher-priority targets for C.J. Stroud.
Tank Dell Tank Dell Progressing, but return timeline TBD Mon, May 5, 2025, 1:15 PM Texans coach DeMeco Ryans reiterated Monday that Dell (knee) remains without a timetable for return, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Wilson reports that Dell is making "steady and impressive progress with major steps taken" following a pair of surgeries to repair the MCL, LCL and ACL in his left knee after he was injured in the Texans' Week 16 loss to the Chiefs. There have been rumblings that Dell could miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. In an effort to stabilize the wide receiver position following Dell's serious injury and the departure of Stefon Diggs in free agency, the Texans acquired Christian Kirk and then used second- and third-round picks on Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, respectively.
Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Ticketed for slot work Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 1:13 PM Kirk (collarbone) figures to spend a lot of time in the slot after Houston drafted 6-foot-4 wideout Jayden Higgins at No. 34 overall, The Athletic reports. Analysis: Kirk might've taken most of his snaps in the slot anyway, so it's hard to spin the NFL Draft as a win for his fantasy value, especially after the Texans doubled down on Iowa State receivers and took Jaylin Noel in the third round. There's suddenly a lot of target competition behind No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, who averaged 83.8 yards and 8.3 targets per game in 2024 despite playing less than half the available snaps in three of his 12 regular-season games. The upside scenario for Kirk's volume entails Collins continuing to struggle with soft-issue injuries while the rookies fail to develop as expected. The downside scenario features Kirk becoming somewhat of an afterthought and perhaps even losing slot snaps to Noel eventually. Kirk has one year left on his contract and should be healthy for training camp, after a broken collarbone ended his final season with the Jaguars (who subsequently traded him to Houston for a seventh-round pick). The Texans already restructured Kirk's contract to convert his non-guaranteed salary into a guaranteed bonus, which rules out any chance of him being released before Week 1.
Irv Smith Irv Smith Returning to Houston Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 6:26 PM The Texans signed Smith to a one-year contract Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Smith hooked on with Houston's practice squad last September and ended up getting signed to the team's active roster in December. The veteran tight end played in five total regular-season games and didn't see a target on offense, though he did catch one pass for two yards in the Texans' playoff loss to Kansas City. Smith figures to again be buried on Houston's depth chart when the team's tight-end corps is healthy, though Brevin Jordan is recovering from a torn ACL and Cade Stover fractured his collarbone in the team's wild-card win against the Chargers in January.
Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Reworks contract Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:18 AM Kirk (collarbone) agreed earlier this month to restructure his contract for the 2025 season, with the Texans opting to convert $14.245 million of his salary into a signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Kirk, who is entering the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed with Jacksonville in 2022, was acquired by the Texans on March 6 in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick. The Texans' willingness to take on the remaining money on his deal was likely a major factor in the low compensation the Jaguars received in return, but Houston was at least able to restructure the contract to make it more palatable for salary-cap purposes. Between his salary and signing bonus, Kirk will earn $16.5 million in 2025, with the potential to earn an additional $3 million if he reaches unspecified catches and receiving yardage incentives. With Tank Dell's (knee) availability for the upcoming season in doubt, Kirk is projected to head into training camp as Houston's No. 2 wideout behind Nico Collins. Prior to suffering a season-ending fractured collarbone in Week 8, Kirk was supplanted by Brian Thomas as the top option in the Jacksonville passing game and finished with a 27-379-1 line on 47 targets.
Jakob Johnson Jakob Johnson Headed to Houston Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 3:20 PM Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Texans on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: The 30-year-old fullback from Tennessee is joining the Texans after spending his 2024 campaign with the Jets and Giants. Johnson appeared in just three games last season (all for the Giants), recording no offensive stats across 12 snaps. However, he contributed on special teams, playing 39 snaps and tallying one tackle. Now in Houston, Johnson is likely to compete for another special-teams role during the summer.
Justin Watson Justin Watson Headed to Houston Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 5:07 PM Watson is in line to sign with the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Watson is coming off a 2024 regular season in which he caught 22 passes (on 32 targets) for 289 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games with the Chiefs. The looming addition of the 28-year-old is slated to boost a Houston wideout corps that is currently led by Nico Collins along with trade acquisition Christian Kirk, while Stefon Diggs (knee) is a pending free agent and Tank Dell (knee) is a candidate to miss much, if not all, of the 2025 season.
Braxton Berrios Braxton Berrios Going to Houston on one-year deal Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 11:37 AM The Texans are slated to ink Berrios (knee) to a one-year, $2 million contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Berrios, who is recovering from a left ACL tear sustained Week 7 of the 2024 season, reached agreement on a contract with Houston just days after the team's move to trade for former Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk (collarbone). Berrios suited up for 16 regular-season games with the Dolphins back in 2023, securing 27 of 33 targets for 238 yards and one score. He's capable of contributing both as a depth wideout and on special teams, including in the return game.
Christian Kirk Christian Kirk Being dealt to Houston Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 3:31 PM The Jaguars are finalizing a trade Thursday that will send Kirk (collarbone) to the Texans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Kirk, who is recovering from a broken left collarbone suffered in late October, looks set to join Nico Collins atop Houston's wide receiver depth chart. The veteran slot man will face opportunity as one of C.J. Stroud's top targets, especially with Stefon Diggs (knee - ACL) a pending free agent and Tank Dell (knee - ACL) a candidate to miss much, if not all, of the 2025 season. Per Pelissero, the Texans are taking on Kirk's salary of $16.5 million for 2025 and sending a 2026 seventh-round pick to Jacksonville in exchange for the 28-year-old veteran wideout.
Dare Ogunbowale Dare Ogunbowale Re-signs with Houston Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 3:27 PM The Texans re-signed Ogunbowale to a one-year, $2 million deal Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: The 30-year-old from Wisconsin will remain with the Texans after spending the last three seasons in Houston. Ogunbowale provides the team with a reliable third-down back, catching 41 of his 61 targets for 320 yards and one touchdown over 46 regular-season games since 2022, while also contributing on special teams. He's likely to play a similar role in 2025, serving as the Texans' No. 3 running back behind Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.
Nico Collins Nico Collins Minor restructure opens cap space Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 11:28 AM Collins agreed to terms Wednesday on a contract restructure that opens up $9.8 million in cap space for the Texans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Collins' restructure comes in the form of his $13.5 million base salary being converted into a signing bonus. The move provides Houston some additional flexibility ahead of the official start of free agency next week. Collins dealt with injuries that forced him to miss five games in 2024, but he nonetheless managed to finish the campaign with an impressive 68-1,006-7 receiving line on 99 targets across 12 appearances during the regular season. With Stefon Diggs (knee) potentially moving on in free agency and with Tank Dell (knee) in danger of missing a substantial portion of the upcoming season, Collins looks locked in atop the depth chart as C.J. Stroud's clear No. 1 target.
Tank Dell Tank Dell Undergoing second surgery Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 11:01 AM Dell is scheduled to undergo a second procedure Wednesday to repair multiple torn ligaments in his left knee, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Dell initially underwent surgery Jan. 15, the first of what was expected to be multiple procedures to address a dislocated kneecap as well as a torn ACL, LCL, MCL and associated meniscus damage to his left knee, which he sustained Dec. 21 while catching a touchdown pass in a loss to the Chiefs. Wednesday's surgery will reportedly be to repair the ACL. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said last week that Dell is "headed in the right direction with the recovery," but cautioned that it's "too soon" to project the extent of Dell's potential contributions for the 2025 campaign. Given the severity of Dell's injuries, it wouldn't be surprising if he missed a majority -- if not all -- of the upcoming season. Over his 14 appearances in 2024, Dell turned in a 51-667-3 receiving line on 81 targets.
Stefon Diggs Stefon Diggs May move on to greener pastures Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 3:23 PM Texans GM Nick Caserio suggested he's open to re-signing Diggs (knee), but Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle thinks it's unlikely to happen unless the wideout accepts less money than he could get from other teams. Analysis: Be it in Houston or elsewhere, there's no question Diggs will have to settle for less than he's accustomed to earning, as he's 31 years old and suffered an ACL tear in late October. He's set to become a free agent while still rehabbing the knee injury, with no assurance of being ready for Week 1 of 2025. The Texans figure to be in the market for high-end WR talent even if they ultimately re-sign Diggs, having lost Tank Dell to a multi-ligament knee tear in late December. Although he's six years younger than Diggs, there's not much reason for optimism about Dell being a significant contributor in 2025. The Texans do at least have Nico Collins, who emerged as one of the league's bonafide No. 1 receivers the past two seasons.