RADIO
David Montgomery's Week 9 Status Remains Uncertain
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (groin) remains without a clear timetable for his return, with head coach DeMeco Ryans offering no significant update on his recovery Monday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Montgomery suffered the injury during Houston's Week 5 victory over Tennessee and missed the following two games before the team's Week 8 bye. He did not practice at all leading up to the Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants, leaving his availability uncertain for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Woody Marks has handled the bulk of the backfield work in his absence, including all 19 running back carries against New York, finishing with 66 rushing yards and one reception for 15 yards. Marks should remain Houston's primary fantasy option if Montgomery misses another game, while the veteran's eventual return could create a more divided backfield.
Source: Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Jonathan M. Alexander
Jaylin Noel to Miss the Rest of the Season Due to Turf Toe
Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel (toe) was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery for turf toe, a person with knowledge of the situation told Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. It is a major blow for the Texans' offense and for Noel, who was having a breakout year with a team-high 331 receiving yards on 19 catches and two receiving touchdowns. He was also serving as the team's primary return man on special teams. Thanks to the former third-rounder out of Iowa State, the Texans rank fourth in the league in passing yards and second in pass plays of 20-plus yards. Fellow second-year receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) is also out for the year, leaving Tank Dell and Marvin Harrison Jr. with elevated pass-catching roles the rest of the way behind veteran Nico Collins. The 24-year-old Noel will finish his second year in the NFL with a league-high 14.4 yards per target after posting a 26-292-2 line in 17 games as a rookie in 2025. He is now droppable in all single-year fantasy leagues.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Texans Still Evaluating Jaylin Noel's Turf-Toe Injury
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that the team is still evaluating the significance of wide receiver Jaylin Noel's turf-toe injury that he suffered in the Week 7 overtime loss to the visiting New York Giants, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Noel was seen wearing a walking boot on his foot after Sunday's game. The good news for the 24-year-old second-year wideout is that the Texans have their bye coming in Week 8, so it is possible that Noel will be ready to roll for a Week 9 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. Noel was a disappointment on Sunday against New York, catching both of his targets for a loss of three yards before he injured his toe, especially after going over the century mark in receiving yards in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. His big Week 6 game made him a popular waiver-wire target, even after the team added former first-round wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. If Noel is not ready coming out of the Week 8 bye, both Harrison and Tank Dell, who made his return from Injured Reserve on Sunday, would have elevated roles behind WR1 Nico Collins.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Texans GM Optimistic About Eventual C.J. Stroud Extension
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the team's long-term plans, which is encouraging for his dynasty outlook, with general manager Nick Caserio expecting the two sides to eventually reach an agreement on a contract extension, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. Houston held productive negotiations with Stroud's representatives during the offseason but failed to finalize a deal before the 2026 campaign. Although the sides initially planned to postpone further discussions until after the season, Caserio has since indicated that he remains open to resuming talks sooner. The Texans exercised Stroud's fifth-year option in April, guaranteeing him approximately $25.9 million in 2027 and keeping him under contract through that season. However, no agreement has been announced, and the timing of further negotiations remains uncertain.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks Disappoints Again Despite Workhorse Role in Week 7
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks failed to capitalize on another heavy workload in Sunday's 27-21 overtime loss to the New York Giants, rushing 19 times for 66 yards without a touchdown, and his fantasy appeal could slip further if David Montgomery (groin) returns after the Week 8 bye. With Montgomery sidelined, Marks handled every Houston running back carry and played 54 of the team's 61 offensive snaps. However, he averaged just 3.5 yards per attempt, with his longest gain going for 11 yards. He also caught his only target for 15 yards, finishing with 81 scrimmage yards and 9.1 PPR fantasy points. Marks briefly exited in the third quarter with an apparent left knee injury but returned to finish the game. Despite receiving at least 15 carries in three consecutive contests, he has failed to score during that stretch, while his receiving totals have declined from four catches to two and then one. Houston visits the Los Angeles Chargers once the bye ends.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylin Noel Diagnosed With Turf Toe After Week 7 Exit
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (toe) suffered a turf toe injury during Sunday's Week 7 overtime loss to the New York Giants, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans, as reported by Jonathan M. Alexander, and the Week 8 bye buys him nearly two weeks before the team's next game. Noel did not return after exiting in the fourth quarter and was wearing a boot following the game. The second-year receiver finished with two receptions for minus-three yards on two targets, interrupting a productive two-game stretch in which he accumulated 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Houston faces the Los Angeles Chargers on November 8, and no timetable for Noel's return has been announced.
Source: Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Jonathan M. Alexander
Nico Collins Suffers Major Week 7 Fantasy Bust With Just Six Yards
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins remains the team's most established receiving threat despite turning in his worst performance of the season during Sunday's 27-21 overtime loss to the New York Giants, catching just two of five targets for six yards without a touchdown. He finished with only 2.6 PPR fantasy points, with both receptions coming on the same third-quarter possession for gains of two and four yards. The disastrous showing followed four consecutive appearances with at least 56 receiving yards, including a 118-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Houston managed just 153 passing yards despite playing into overtime, with C.J. Stroud throwing touchdowns to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Xavier Hutchinson. Tank Dell also made his return, contributing a 43-yard reception on his lone target. Sunday's lack of production was especially frustrating given Collins' recent success. The Texans have a Week 8 bye before visiting the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylin Noel Questionable to Return With Toe Injury
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (toe) is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, and Xavier Hutchinson, who is listed behind Noel at slot receiver, could see additional opportunities if the injury sidelines him for the remainder of the game. Noel has caught both of his targets for minus-three yards after entering the contest with 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his previous two games. The second-year receiver was coming off a career-best performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording four catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Houston has Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Tank Dell available, giving the Texans several options for redistributing snaps and targets.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks Returns After Medical-Tent Evaluation Against Giants
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks has returned to Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants after undergoing a medical evaluation, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, which keeps the Texans' primary rushing option available in a closely contested game against New York. Marks was injured on a third-quarter rushing attempt that resulted in a three-yard loss with 2:45 remaining in the period, and he had recorded 13 carries for 49 yards before leaving the field. Houston entered the contest with only two active running backs, leaving Dare Ogunbowale as its lone alternative at the position with David Montgomery (groin) inactive and Jawhar Jordan (quad) sidelined.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks Enters Medical Tent Against Giants
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (undisclosed) was seen heading to the blue medical tent during Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants, according to Ralph Vacchiano, and a depleted backfield cannot afford to lose him. The nature of the issue has not been reported, and his return status remains unknown. Houston entered the game with only two available running backs after David Montgomery (groin) was ruled out and Jawhar Jordan (quad) landed on the practice-squad injured list. Marks handled 15 carries in each of his previous two games. Veteran Dare Ogunbowale, who has yet to record a rushing attempt this season, would be Houston's only remaining running back if Marks cannot return.
Source: Ralph Vacchiano
Source: Ralph Vacchiano
Tank Dell Officially Active for Week 7 Against Giants
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, but he's a deeper-league stash, not a safe starter. Dell will make his first regular-season appearance since December 21, 2024, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. Houston activated the 26-year-old on Saturday and removed his questionable designation after he practiced in full throughout Week 7. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has tempered expectations for Dell's return, and the Texans already have considerable competition for targets with Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jaylin Noel. Given his lengthy absence and uncertain initial workload, Dell is a risky Week 7 starter.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jaylin Noel a Startable Waiver-Wire Find
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel is riding a hot streak ahead of Sunday's home meeting with the New York Giants and is worth a look on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of a high-upside spark. Noel doesn't meet the requirements of a high-volume, plug-and-play fantasy receiver, though he has some interesting traits to his game. Furthermore, he's gone from an afterthought in the offense through the first three weeks to a legitimate field-flipping deep threat over the prior three. The second-year pro primarily operates from the slot, so he'll lose playing time when Houston runs out two or fewer wide receivers. However, owners will be happy to know the Texans utilize 11 personnel at the ninth-highest clip in the league (60.9%). Unfortunately, given Noel's play style, there will be a few clunkers for fantasy. Either way, Houston is airing it out 62.23% of the time, the seventh-highest rate, and quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing some of the best football of his career.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tank Dell Added to Texans' 53-Man Roster, Will Play in Week 7
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is set to make his long-awaited return to the field in Week 7 against the New York Giants, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Dell has not played since suffering a devastating knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season. Dell was a productive player for Houston before suffering the injury, recording 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets across the first 25 games of his NFL career. He now joins a crowded Houston wide receiver room that includes Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaylin Noel, and Kayshon Boutte. Between the Texans' depth and Dell's long layoff from playing football, his immediate role in the team's offense is unclear. Fantasy managers should avoid starting Dell in Week 7, but he's worth monitoring as a potential waiver wire addition now that he's back on the field for Houston.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Houston Texans D/ST A Very Strong Start Vs. the Giants
The Houston Texans D/ST is expected to be one of the best defensive units to deploy in Week 7, as they host the Giants on Sunday afternoon. The Giants are turning to J.J. McCarthy at QB for his first start of the season, and McCarthy has been turnover-prone and prone to being sacked in his past chances as a starter. The Texans had an interception and no sacks last week against the Jaguars in London, but they had at least three sacks in each of their previous four games, and typically they do a great job pressuring opposing QBs and forcing them to make mistakes. The Texans are the No. 2 D/ST in RotoBaller's Week 7 rankings, so they are a strong starting option in all formats in this favorable home matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ka'imi Fairbairn An Elite Option in Week 7
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn continues to be one of the most reliable kickers in the league, and last week in London, he hit the game-winning field goal to beat the Jaguars. He made both of his field-goal attempts and successfully tacked on all four extra-point tries as well. Fairbairn has made 13 of his 14 field goal attempts this season, including four from 50+ yards. This week, he'll be at home indoors in a favorable matchup against the Giants, and with the Texans offense finding its stride the last few weeks, Fairbairn is one of the best options on the board. He's ranked as the No. 3 kicker in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 7, and he makes a strong option in all formats this week before the Texans go on their bye in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
