RADIO
Texans Optimistic That Jaylin Noel Will be Ready for Week 1
The Houston Texans are optimistic that wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring, finger) will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the Buffalo Bills, according to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790. Noel injured his right pinkie earlier this summer, and then he picked up a hamstring strain last week. Wilson described the latest injury as a "minor setback" and relayed that receivers coach and passing game coordinator Ben McDaniels is confident in the receiver's ability to get back up to speed. "I expect him when he hits the grass to be ready to roll," Ben McDaniels said. "He's extremely diligent with his preparation and being ready to go when he's going to be healthy." Noel had a relatively quiet rookie season last year, catching 26 passes for 292 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's technically fourth on the depth chart behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Jayden Higgins, but he could be the team's primary slot option after Christian Kirk departed in free agency. He currently ranks as the WR119 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Tank Dell on "His Own Plan," Preseason Status Remains Uncertain
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) still does not have a clear preseason game plan as he works back from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Asked Monday whether Dell will play in an exhibition game, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the receiver is on "his own plan," according to Aaron Wilson. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell," Ryans added. Dell has made progress in camp, including taking team-drill reps for the first time on August 10 and catching a pass from Davis Mills during that session. Houston has been careful with his workload throughout the process, and Ryans' latest comments make it clear the team is not setting a preseason deadline for him. Dell suffered a dislocated left kneecap, torn ACL and additional damage in December 2024. For now, getting him ready at the right pace matters more than forcing him into an exhibition game.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
C.J. Stroud and Texans Offense are Clicking
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has enjoyed a solid training camp, but he reportedly took things to a whole new level on Sunday, at one point connecting on seven straight completions during competitive sessions. Acknowledging the gravity of his assessment, Texans analyst John Harris wrote, "This was one of the best overall offensive practices that I can ever remember, if not the best I've seen." After becoming only the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in 2023, Stroud has had two disappointing seasons, but with a healthy group of dynamic pass-catchers around him, he could surprise in 2026 with an ADP that has fallen to QB22. With the Texans boasting one of the league's premier defenses, Stroud will rarely be tasked with winning a shootout, lowering his potential ceiling. Still, he has the ability to stabilize a roster as a second quarterback in superflex leagues, and his performance against that vaunted defense on Sunday is a reminder of what he can do when everything is clicking.
Source: John Harris
Source: John Harris
Jayden Higgins Looking to Build Off Strong Finish to 2025 Season
After a solid finish to his rookie season, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is poised for a strong second season in 2026. Higgins hauled in 41 of 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games last season, finishing as the WR46 in half-PPR formats. The 34th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft started slowly, totaling just 159 yards in the first eight games, but finished strong, averaging over 40 receiving yards per game and scoring four touchdowns in nine games. Amid quarterback C.J. Stroud's struggles toward the end of the season, Higgins was fantasy-relevant as the WR2 in this offense. While Nico Collins remains the lead receiver in this offense, Higgins should continue to be a factor and could have a big year if Stroud returns to the level of play he showed during his rookie season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeMeco Ryans Views David Montgomery As No. 1 Back
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans considers running back David Montgomery the team's lead back this season. Ryans said on the SiriusXM NFL show last week, "I see David as a number one back. He's a really good runner; he's always been a runner whenever he touches the ball. Strong, runs low, runs behind his pads." Montgomery spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions, splitting carries with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite a timeshare, he averaged 75 scrimmage yards per game and scored 33 touchdowns in 45 games. Now he heads to Houston, where he expects to lead a committee with second-year back Woody Marks. Ranked RB21 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, the veteran back has a chance to be a solid RB2 in fantasy leagues this season.
Source: Houston Stressans
Source: Houston Stressans
Jaylin Noel Dealing with Hamstring and Pinkie Injuries
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring, pinkie) is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks as he recovers from hamstring and pinkie injuries, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. We knew about the finger issue in late July, but the hamstring issue appears to be an additional ailment that previously went unreported. Noel remains on track to be healthy in time for Week 1 of the regular season, but we don't expect to see him on the field for either of the Texans' next two preseason games. Nevertheless, he projects as the Texans' No. 4 receiver behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Jayden Higgins. Noel should surpass last season's finish as the WR91 in PPR leagues, but we still don't expect him to have weekly fantasy relevance given the Texans' top-heavy receiver room.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Tank Dell Not Practicing Sunday
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was not practicing Sunday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Wilson did not report a new setback or give a reason for the absence. Dell is still being eased back after missing the entire 2025 season because of the serious left knee injury he suffered in December 2024. His workload has picked up recently. Dell returned to padded practice on August 5 and got his first 11-on-11 reps five days later, even catching a pass during team work. He was back out there Saturday as well, though only for a few routes in team drills and was not targeted. Houston has been cautious throughout the process, with head coach DeMeco Ryans repeatedly saying the team will let Dell progress at his own pace. Sunday's absence is worth noting, especially this deep into his comeback, but there is nothing in Wilson's report suggesting Dell suffered another injury. His practice participation remains something fantasy managers will have to watch closely.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Texans Starters Will Play in Next Preseason Game on Thursday
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported that the Houston Texans will play their starters in next Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach DeMeco Ryans told Bien-Aime that everyone healthy will play in the game. The team decided to rest almost all of their primary starters, including C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Dalton Schultz, during their 27-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryans has not officially announced a plan or official playing times for their second game yet. However, he will likely make his decision public closer to Thursday's day game.
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Rookie Running Back Noah Whittington Has a Busy Start to the Preseason
Houston Texans running back Noah Whittington finished his team's preseason loss to the Chargers with 13 carries for 40 yards and also caught his only target for a loss of four yards. The undrafted rookie from Oregon fits the profile of a potential rotational back due to his compact frame and powerful running style. His heavy workload could lead to him earning a spot on the team, and since Houston likes to rotate running backs, he could end up with fantasy value at some point this season. Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan are back to carry the load alongside newcomer David Montgomery, though, so Whittington will need to show more explosiveness before he threatens for enough work to be fantasy relevant. It is worth noting, though, that he got plenty of chances to make an impact in Preseason Week 1 against the Chargers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Wayne Scores the Texans Only Touchdown
Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne stepped into an expanded role for his team with the key starters at skill positions not playing on Thursday night in their preseason contest against the Chargers. Wayne led the team in targets with five and tied for the lead in catches with three. He snagged a touchdown pass from Davis Mills and finished with 17 receiving yards. Wayne has been on the fringes of Houston's roster since he first joined them as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He made his debut with two catches for 20 yards when injuries tested the team's receiver depth against the 49ers last year, and he will likely be a depth option on the roster again this year. If injuries deplete the receiver room, he could be a deep-league sleeper to watch. His touchdown came on a contested catch in the front corner of the end zone and gave the Texans the lead at that point of the first quarter.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
C.J. Stroud, Other Texans Starters Won't Play on Thursday
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and other key offensive starters like running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks and wide receiver Nico Collins will not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, league sources told Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 AM. With Stroud sitting, Davis Mills and Graham Mertz will take the snaps under center. The Texans will be short-handed at the RB position with Jawhar Jordan (hip) and British Brooks (hand) also out with injuries, meaning Noah Whittington, Josh Pitsenberger, and Owen Wright should handle the backfield duties against the Bolts. The 24-year-old Stroud took another step back in 2025 in his third year in the NFL after an impressive rookie season. The former second overall pick from Ohio State completed a career-high 64.5% of his pass attempts last year, but he threw for a career-low 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season starts. Stroud will certainly be motivated to deliver if he wants the Texans to seriously consider giving him a long-term extension in the future. Fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end QB2 with bounce-back potential.
Source: Sports Talk 790 AM - Aaron Wilson
Source: Sports Talk 790 AM - Aaron Wilson
Woody Marks Still Offers Late-Round PPR Value
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks isn't taking David Montgomery's job, but that doesn't make him an afterthought. Marks led Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie and added 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. The Texans brought in Montgomery to handle a major share of the backfield, and the veteran is viewed as capable of playing all three downs. Marks still has a way onto the field. Houston has been expanding his route work, and he has looked quicker this summer, including a 20-yard run with the first-team offense during camp. There is more competition behind them, too, with Jawhar Jordan putting together a strong summer. Marks isn't the safest bet for touchdowns, and his 3.6 yards per carry last year leaves some room for improvement. RotoBaller has him at RB47, though. That's low enough to take a chance on a second-year back who already handled 220 offensive touches and should stay involved as both a runner and receiver. He looks more useful as a late-round PPR target than a simple Montgomery handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nico Collins Shining in Training Camp
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has looked strong at training camp, according to Texans analyst John Harris. During the team's indoor practice on Tuesday, Collins made big play after big play. Collins is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons and has averaged 14 half-PPR fantasy points per game since 2023. With players like Jayden Higgins emerging in his second season and Tank Dell returning from injury, volume may become more volatile. He will need to rely more on efficiency and touchdowns in 2026, which will hinge on quarterback C.J. Stroud's performance this season. When healthy and playing well, Collins is a sure-fire WR1 in fantasy, so fantasy managers should consider the sixth-year receiver this season.
Source: John Harris - Houston Texans
Source: John Harris - Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud Enters Make-or-Break 2026 Season
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is entering the all-important 2026 contract year after back-to-back down years. After winning the 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud has averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game over the past two seasons, a nearly five-point drop from his stellar rookie season. The Texans declined to extend Stroud's contract this offseason following his postseason struggles, including four interceptions in the divisional-round game against the New England Patriots. With their elite defense, the Texans have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl this season if Stroud bounces back to rookie form in 2026. Currently listed as QB23 on RotoBaller's positional rankings, Stroud is a strong sleeper with upside this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tank Dell Drawing Positive Reviews During Comeback
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is drawing encouraging reviews as he continues his return from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Rookie Watch reports that Dell has looked especially explosive in camp and more fluid running routes than he did before the injury. Dell returned to padded practice last week and has been able to run routes at full speed during individual drills, although Houston has not yet moved him into regular team work. The 26-year-old last played in 2024, when he caught 51 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 14 games. Getting back on the field at all is a significant step after Dell underwent multiple surgeries following his December 2024 knee injury. The early reports on his movement are promising, but progressing into one-on-one and 11-on-11 work will provide a much better test of where Dell stands in his comeback. UPDATE: Dell was involved in team drills at training camp practice on Monday.
Source: Rookie Watch
Source: Rookie Watch
