Aug 8, 2026, 3:45 PM ET

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz was busy last year. He saw 106 targets, caught a career-high 82 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns, and finished as the TE11. Finding that much work again could be difficult. Nico Collins is still the top receiver, Jayden Higgins is coming off a 41-catch, 525-yard rookie season and has drawn strong reviews in camp, while Tank Dell is back on the field after missing all of 2025 with a knee injury. Houston also signed Foster Moreau and used the 59th overall pick on tight end Marlin Klein. Schultz is still the Texans' TE1, and he played more than 71% of the offensive snaps last season, so his role isn't disappearing. There are simply more options around C.J. Stroud now. RotoBaller has Schultz 177th overall and TE24. He still makes sense as a second tight end, but another TE11 finish would require much of last year's target volume to stick around.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 7, 2026, 1:18 PM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to be eased in during this training camp and season, despite looking strong in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was excited about Dell's return to the field, saying, "You want to see that comeback story. Tank (Dell) looks real nice out there. We're taking our time with Tank, allowing him to come along. Outstanding job, nice crisp in routes. It's exciting." Dell suffered a significant knee/leg injury, including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, a patellar tendon injury, and a vascular injury that required emergency surgery. This comeback is nothing short of legendary, as Dell hopes to regain his previous form, in which he averaged over 55 receiving yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns in 25 games. While the risk is evident when drafting Dell, the upside remains for him to be a late-round sleeper.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Aaron Wilson - KPRC2

Aug 7, 2026, 12:44 PM ET

Now that Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel (finger) has come off the Non-Football Injury list at training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans are actively looking for ways to "get him the ball on offense multiple times a game," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The 23-year-old former third-rounder from Iowa State wasn't as productive as teammate Jayden Higgins as a rookie, as he caught just 26 passes on 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). However, Noel should have a bigger role in Year 2 in 2026 as he competes with Tank Dell (knee) and Xavier Hutchinson for the WR3 role behind Higgins and Nico Collins. Losing the first two weeks of training camp didn't help Noel's cause, but he has plenty of time to get more involved going into Week 1 of the regular season. How big Noel's role is in his sophomore season will probably depend on how much Dell can do after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024 and missing all of last year. Right now, Noel is merely a late-round dart throw in deeper fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

Aug 7, 2026, 10:03 AM ET

Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been activated from the Non-Football Injury list and should soon resume practicing after missing the start of training camp with a finger injury that did not allow him to catch passes. With former third-round pick Tank Dell recently taking part in his first padded practice since his season-ending 2024 knee injury, the Texans have seen a sudden influx of talent in the receiver room, with fellow second-year receiver Jayden Higgins drawing headlines for his standout play throughout training camp and two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins remaining one of the league's most unheralded superstars. After splitting slot work with veteran Christian Kirk in 2025, Noel is in line for additional snaps in year two, and at RotoBaller's WR78, he could provide a usable fantasy floor from the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Houston Texans

Aug 6, 2026, 9:35 PM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is primed for a breakout season in 2026, according to coaches and teammates in the Texans organization. Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised the second-year receiver, saying, "Jayden Higgins came back ready this camp ... he's excelling at every level. Third down, he's winning, making plays for us. The sky is the limit for Jayden Higgins." Star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who has had success against Higgins in practice, said, "He's more in sync with C.J. Stroud. C.J. knows more about how he's going to play or run a route. I feel like their timing is better." As a rookie, Higgins caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games. While he'll face strong competition for targets, with Nico Collins and Tank Dell in the picture, Higgins could still be a fantasy contributor in 2026.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Jonathan Alexander - Houston Chronicle

Aug 6, 2026, 3:32 PM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has more help around him now. He is still the receiver this passing game runs through. Collins caught 71 of 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games last season, giving him three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Jayden Higgins is pushing for more after a 41-catch, 525-yard rookie year, and Tank Dell took part in padded practice this week for the first time since his major knee injury. That makes Houston deeper. It does not erase what Collins has already done with C.J. Stroud. He set a career high in targets last season and averaged 15.7 yards per catch. The bigger concern is whether he can stay on the field. Collins has never played more than 15 games, missed one regular-season contest after a concussion last year, then suffered another head injury in the playoffs and sat out the Divisional Round. RotoBaller ranks him WR9 in PPR. The price is not cheap, but it is supported by three years of WR1 production. Higgins and Dell may take some work, but Collins remains the clear first option and should be drafted as a low-end WR1.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 6, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is not taking over an empty backfield, but he still has the better path to fantasy points. The 29-year-old was squeezed down to a career-low 158 carries in Detroit last season and still produced 716 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Houston traded for him in March, then reworked his contract into a two-year, $16.5 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. Woody Marks is not disappearing. He led the Texans with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie, caught 24 passes for 208 yards and three scores, and has been preparing for a larger receiving role. Current camp reporting suggests the split will change with the situation. That still leaves Montgomery as the stronger bet for the physical early-down work, with Marks mixing in on passing downs and elsewhere. RotoBaller ranks Montgomery RB21 in PPR and RB26 in dynasty. That is a fair price for a back who has scored at least eight touchdowns in three straight seasons. He remains a solid redraft RB2 and a useful win-now piece. Rebuilding teams should be willing to shop him before the age discount gets any steeper.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 6, 2026, 1:13 PM ET

The Houston Texans agreed with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on a two-year, $16 million contract extension on Thursday, according to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. The 25-year-old gets paid with a chance to earn another contract in a few years. The deal includes the opportunity to earn another $1 million in incentives. The former fifth-rounder in the 2023 NFL draft from the University of Alabama has had at least 95 combined tackles for Houston in the last two years, and he recorded 95 tackles (42 solo), a career-high 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season games (14 starts) in 2025 in his third year in the league. To'oTo'o was a key piece of one of the NFL's best defensive units last year alongside star linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and he's set to reprise his role in 2026. He finished just inside the top-50 fantasy linebackers in IDP formats a year ago.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo

Aug 5, 2026, 11:24 AM ET

The Houston Texans will practice in pads for the third straight day on Wednesday, and wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to take part without obvious limitation. Dell suffered a career-threatening knee injury in December 2024 that would cost him the entirety of the 2025 season. After undergoing multiple surgeries, Wednesday's practice marks his first time donning pads in an NFL setting since the injury. The 2023 third-round pick developed a clear connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud, catching 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 scores across his first two seasons, and he will look to pick up where he left off in a receiver room still populated by two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins along with second-year players Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Dell's place in the pecking order remains unclear, but as one of the easiest players to root for in 2026, he could play his way back into fantasy viability as RotoBaller's WR75.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Jane Slater

Aug 2, 2026, 9:09 PM ET

The Houston Texans have signed veteran pass rusher and three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year, $5.5 million contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Clowney was drafted first overall by the Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent the first five seasons of his career with the team, totaling 29 sacks in 47 games. The former first overall pick spent the 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys, where he had a career resurgence, totaling 8.5 sacks in 13 games. Clowney will rotate behind star pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who combined for 27 sacks last season. Clowney's homecoming should help the Texans' pass-rushing duo stay fresh as they hope to build on a dominant defensive season.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network

Jul 30, 2026, 3:30 PM ET

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks is showing second-year growth during training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said, according to DJ Bien-Aime. Marks played 16 games with eight starts as a rookie, leading Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught 24 of 36 targets for 208 yards and three scores, giving him five total touchdowns despite averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Houston added David Montgomery during the offseason after struggling to run the ball consistently in 2025, and the coaching staff has described the veteran as a three-down back. Marks has also been learning a broader route tree as the Texans explore ways to feature his receiving ability. Ryans' assessment is an encouraging sign that Marks is progressing after handling significant responsibility as a rookie. Montgomery's arrival limits his path to another lead-back workload, but continued development in the passing game could help Marks retain a meaningful complementary role in Houston's backfield.--Bruno Mulé
Source: DJ Bien-Aime

Jul 30, 2026, 12:33 PM ET

Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been seeing early targets in training camp practice from quarterback C.J. Stroud, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said he's seen Higgins take a Year 2 jump, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Ryans envisions Higgins becoming a weapon opposite WR1 Nico Collins. All signs have been pointing to the 23-year-old pass-catcher taking a leap in Year 2 after he caught 41 of his 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) as a rookie. The former second-rounder from Iowa State could really take the next step if Collins, who is no stranger to injuries, misses more time with an injury in 2026. Higgins has consistently drawn praise this year, dating back to offseason workouts. He could really benefit from the Texans' upgrades on their offensive line and the departure of veteran wideout Christian Kirk. Higgins is ranked at No. 55 among WRs by RotoBaller, but his draft stock should continue to rise if he keeps standing out in training camp this summer.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander

Jul 29, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

The Houston Texans' belief in quarterback C.J. Stroud as their franchise signal-caller remains strong, but the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the two sides are not close on a contract extension. Stroud had his fifth-year option picked up by Houston in April, and he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Both sides seem comfortable kicking the can down the road as far as a contract extension, and Rapoport adds that the fact that extension talks are even happening backs up the Texans' position that Stroud is their unquestioned long-term plan at QB. The Texans probably are in no rush to lock up the 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 from Ohio State after he regressed in 2025 in his third year in the league, especially in the team's playoff loss to the New England Patriots. All reports are that Stroud is locked in and has made great strides towards a bounce-back in his fourth NFL season, but ultimately, his success in 2026 could come down to whether the offensive line can protect him. Stroud threw for 4,000-plus yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five picks in 15 regular-season starts as a rookie, so he has it in him. In two-QB superflex leagues, his lowered cost is enticing if you're betting on a bounce-back. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 23 fantasy QB, right behind Sam Darnold.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Jul 29, 2026, 3:55 PM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (finger) is expected to return in a few weeks after injuring his finger, according to Aaron Wilson. Noel was placed on the active/non-football injury list before training camp and cannot practice until he passes his physical. No additional information has been provided regarding which finger is affected, how the injury occurred, or whether he required a procedure. The 23-year-old caught 26 of 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games as a rookie while also handling most of Houston's return work. Noel returned 31 punts for 335 yards and 29 kickoffs for 799 yards. He entered camp positioned to compete for a larger second-year role from the slot in addition to his special-teams responsibilities. The reported timeline suggests the injury is relatively short term, but Noel will lose valuable practice repetitions while sidelined. His eventual activation and participation level will determine how much time he has to prepare for an expanded offensive role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Aaron Wilson