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Xavier Hutchinson Xavier Hutchinson Back for Year 4 with Houston
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 4:40 PM
Ahead of training camp, Jared Koch of SI.com projects that Hutchinson slots in as the No. 4 option in a WR corps that also includes Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Tank Dell (knee) and Lewis Bond.
Analysis: Collins remains Houston's clear-cut top wideout, with Koch having noted last month that Higgins and Noel both logged frequent reps in the first-team offense on the outside and in the slot, respectively. Hutchinson's role in 2026 is thus TDB, with Dell's ongoing recovery from a knee injury a notable moving part in that regard. In 17 regular-season games in 2025, Hutchinson compiled a 35-428-3 line on 57 targets, but steady volume may not be in the cards for the 2023 sixth-rounder out of the gate this season unless injuries hit the Texans' WR corps. |
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Woody Marks Woody Marks 'Lots of opportunities' on tap
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 9:39 AM
Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett said Sunday that he still envisions Marks taking on a sizable workload in his second NFL season, even after Houston acquired David Montgomery earlier in the offseason, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "I think the key for Woody is understanding his role, which he does," Barrett said. "He's going to get lots of opportunities."
Analysis: As a rookie fourth-round pick in 2025, Marks led the Texans in rushing yards (703) but averaged just 3.6 yards per tote. Poor offensive line play was a factor in Marks' inability to churn out big gains on the ground, though Houston appears to have upgraded that group with the signings of veteran guard Wyatt Teller and offensive tackle Braden Smith and the selection of center/guard Keylan Rutledge in the first round of the draft. While the presence of Montgomery will likely limit Marks' touches on early downs, any improvement in his efficiency as a runner to go along with a heightened role on passing downs -- he shined as a pass catcher with a 24-208-3 receiving line as a rookie -- may be enough for Marks to build on his first-year production. The Texans are also looking to take advantage of Marks' shiftiness in space by deploying him on kickoff returns. |
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David Montgomery David Montgomery Viewed as three-down back
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 2:47 PM
Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett said in early July that Montgomery is "a three-down back" who "can do it all," Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Montgomery is positioned to serve as Houston's lead running back after arriving from Detroit via trade this offseason, and Houston appears prepared to use him in a workhorse role. Barrett praised Montgomery's physical running style, blocking ability and leadership, while emphasizing the veteran's mentality and consistency. With an upgraded offensive line and little proven competition beyond Woody Marks, Montgomery looks poised for a substantial workload, and his skill set could allow the Texans to find greater success in the red zone and in play action, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. |
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David Montgomery David Montgomery Central to Texans' plans on offense
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 6:30 PM
Houston's offseason acquisition of Montgomery should help the team have a more punishing running game and improve in the red zone as well as in play action, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports.
Analysis: The Texans struggled on the ground last season, ranking fourth-worst in the league with an average of 3.9 YPC and tying for second-worst with just nine rushing TDs. The team brought in Montgomery via a trade with Detroit in early March to add power to the position while cutting Joe Mixon (foot) and presumably parting ways with Nick Chubb, who remains a free agent. Montgomery is thus set to lead the team's RB corps alongside Woody Marks, who took hold of the top job as a rookie last season but is slated to work in more of a pass-catching role in 2026. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley has stated that he's also interested in having Montgomery and Marks on the field together in split-back sets at times, per Wilson. |
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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Strong offseason, per OC
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 8:38 AM
Ahead of training camp, offensive coordinator Nick Caley notes that said he's seen Stroud take a leap this offseason, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: "There was a lot of progress that C.J. and the offense made last year," said Caley, who enters his second year as Houston's offensive coordinator. "We continued to get better from the start of the season to the end of the regular season and just continued to make progress from week to week. So we're going to continue to build on that. It's a new year. C.J. has done a great job out here. Looks good. Locked in." During the 2025 regular season, his third campaign with the Texans, Stroud -- who had his fifth-year contract option picked up in April -- threw for 3,041 yards with 19 TDs and eight picks in 14 games to go along with 48 carries for 209 yards and a rushing score. Looking ahead, he'll look to rebound from a forgettable four-interception outing in his team's divisional-round postseason exit last season, while working with a pass-catching corps that continues to feature WRs Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, along with TE Dalton Schultz. The Texans also traded for RB David Montgomery this offseason and added TEs Foster Moreau and Marlin Klein with the goal of establishing a more effective ground game to help balance out the team's offense, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Set to lead Houston's TE corps
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 11:51 AM
While Schultz remains the Texans' top tight end ahead of training camp, Jared Koch of SI.com notes that slotting beyond Schultz has yet to be determined.
Analysis: That said, following the team's mandatory minicamp earlier this month, Koch suggests that at this stage a "fair order" after Schultz could go as follows: Foster Moreau, Brevin Jordan (knee), and Marlin Klein (hamstring). During the 2025 regular season, Schultz set career highs in catches (82) and targets (106) en route to logging 777 receiving yards and three TDs in 17 games. As a dependable chain-mover in Houston's offense for QB C.J. Stroud, Schultz -- who has played a full slate in each of the last two years -- will remain on the fantasy lineup radar in 2026. |
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Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Drawing praise as WR2
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 11:50 AM
Higgins has consistently drawn praise throughout spring activities as the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Nico Collins, Jared Koch of SI.com reports.
Analysis: The No. 34 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft posted a 41-525-6 receiving line on 68 targets across 17 games as a rookie and appears positioned for a Year 2 leap. Koch reports that Higgins stands as the clear No. 2 receiver on Houston's depth chart ahead of training camp, a role that could benefit from the team's upgraded offensive line and the departure of Christian Kirk to San Francisco. Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel remain in the mix behind Collins and Higgins, while Tank Dell (knee) is expected to return at some point during the 2026 season. |
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Lewis Bond Lewis Bond Makes noise during OTAs
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 10:35 PM
Bond, who was a sixth-round selection in April's NFL Draft, "turned heads" during OTAs, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Bond was part of the second-team offense during practice sessions and "made plays," per Bien-Aime. Of course, it's still very early in the offseason, but Bond certainly didn't hurt his chances of making the season-opening 53-man roster with his initial impression. Still, Brett Coomer of the Houston Chronicle projects the Boston College product to be on the roster bubble given the Texans' crowded wide-receiver room. |
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Layne Pryor Layne Pryor Dealing with quad injury
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 3:05 PM
Pryor didn't practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: The Northern Iowa product spent time with the Texans' practice squad last season and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in late January. Once fully healthy, Pryor will likely compete for a depth role in Houston's tight end room. |
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Healthy again
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 9:12 PM
Brown (ankle) participated in Houston's minicamp practice Tuesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Brown has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the Texans' AFC divisional-round loss to the Patriots back in January. While the 33-year-old was working with the first-team offense Tuesday, he is expected to serve as the backup right tackle behind Braden Smith during the regular season. |
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Justin Watson Justin Watson In helmet for minicamp
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 7:42 PM
Watson (concussion) participated during the Texans' minicamp Tuesday, David J. Phillip of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Watson suffered a postseason-ending concussion during Houston's wild-card win at Pittsburgh in January, but he's now back to full health with minicamp underway. He currently projects for a depth role in a wide receiver corps led by two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins and 2025 second-rounder Jayden Higgins. |
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Dealing with leg issue
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 6:18 PM
Hall (leg) was sidelined during the Texans' minicamp Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: It's not clear when Hall picked up the injury, but per Wilson, it isn't expected to cause a long-term absence. Until he's back to full strength, rookie second-rounder Kayden McDonald could see more opportunities at practice. |
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Marlin Klein Marlin Klein Dealing with hamstring issue
Fri, Jun 5, 2026, 6:12 PM
Klein was sidelined at the Texans' OTAs during the week after tweaking his hamstring, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Per Wilson, the injury isn't expected to keep Klein off the practice field for an extended period. The rookie second-round pick, who's competing with Foster Moreau for the No. 2 job behind Dalton Schultz, will have a chance to return to practice at some point during the Texans' mandatory minicamp, which begins Tuesday. |
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Headed to H-Town
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 7:50 PM
Houston signed Hansen on Thursday.
Analysis: The rookie tight end out of Connecticut is getting his first chance in the pros with the Texans. Over the course of the past three seasons with the Huskies, Hansen totaled 46 catches for 463 yards and four touchdowns in 40 games. |
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Back to 100 percent
Fri, May 29, 2026, 12:16 PM
Smith (knee) is participating in OTAs this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Smith suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on injured reserve until returning in Week 8. He then sustained a season-ending torn meniscus in his knee in Week 9. Wilson reports Smith is now 100 percent healthy and has no restrictions this offseason. He'll compete for a role behind starters Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter and slot corner Jalen Pitre. |
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Brevin Jordan Brevin Jordan Working back from major injury
Thu, May 28, 2026, 6:18 PM
Jordan is progressing in his rehab from the torn patellar tendon he suffered during training camp last year, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Mandatory practices still haven't started up yet for the new year, so there's no reason for Houston to rush Jordan back into action. The Texans signed Foster Moreau in free agency and added second-rounder Marlin Klein in the 2026 NFL Draft, so Jordan's place on their 53-man roster is far from guaranteed at this point. |
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Cade Stover Cade Stover Catching passes on practice field
Thu, May 28, 2026, 6:06 PM
Stover (knee) is participating in the Texans' OTAs, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Stover sustained a knee injury during Houston's playoff loss at New England in the divisional round back in January, but he appears to be in good shape for offseason workouts. After the Texans drafted tight end Marlin Klein in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Stover's path to a spot on the final 53-man roster for the upcoming season looks narrow. |
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Tank Dell Tank Dell Not participating in OTAs
Thu, May 28, 2026, 10:21 AM
Dell (knee) is not participating in OTAs this week, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Dell is on the field in uniform, but he's not sporting a helmet, as the Texans are taking a "patient, long term approach" with the wide receiver this offseason, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since tearing multiple knee ligaments in Week 16 of the 2024 season. While Dell may not participate in offseason workouts, there's a good chance he's on the field at training camp with an eye toward Week 1 of the regular season. If healthy, Dell should occupy a spot in three-wide sets alongside Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, with Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson available as sub-package wideouts. |
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Reverts to IR
Tue, May 26, 2026, 3:54 PM
Carter (knee) reverted to Houston's injured reserve list Tuesday, per NFL Communications.
Analysis: Carter was waived/injured by the Texans on May 21, but after going unclaimed on waivers, he's reverted to IR. The Houston product underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week but should be able to return at some point during the 2026 season, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Carter appeared in just two regular-season games during the Texans' 2025 campaign, recording no stats across 36 special-teams snaps. |
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Nico Collins Nico Collins Gets raise via restructure
Tue, May 26, 2026, 3:09 PM
Collins agreed to terms Tuesday on a contract restructure with the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Collins' restructure guarantees his salary for the next two seasons while providing him cash increases of $9 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027, per Schefter. Houston general manager Nick Caserio made it clear in an interview during Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft that the team is not considering trading Collins despite having received calls about the 27-year-old wideout's availability, as DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reports, and the Pro Bowler's new contract reinforces his long-term status as the No. 1 target for C.J. Stroud. While suiting up for 15 regular-season games in 2025, Collins secured 71 of 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns -- his third consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. |
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