Fantasy Football News

Texans WR Tank Dell is "nowhere near ready to play," according to insider John McClain. Dell was cleared to practice in early August but has remained limited by all accounts as he works back from his December 2024 knee injury.

The Patriots traded WR Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for S Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. The Texans were in need of a shot in the arm at the position after WR Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL last week. Other WRs Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell have also missed most of training camp. Boutte had been rumored to be on the trade block since before training camp and was expendable after the Patriots brought in AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs.

The biggest fantasy question in the Houston offense throughout this offseason has arguably been the projected backfield split. The Texans acquired veteran David Montgomery from Detroit and guaranteed him $10 million on a two-year extension that runs through 2027. That seemed to slot the former Lion clearly ahead of second-year incumbent Woody Marks, but the young guy has seemed to build recent momentum. Now it appears we might be looking at an even split.

The Texans are searching for pass catchers after it was announced a couple days ago that Jayden Higgins tore his ACL. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the team brought in Sterling Shepard, Josh Reynolds, and Zay Jones for workouts.

Texans WR Jayden Higgins will miss the 2026 season after suffering an ACL tear in Tuesday's practice, according to multiple reports. (It's not yet clear which leg he injured.)

Jayden Higgins, one of the most impressive players in Texans camp, went down in pain during practice. He got up on his own, but his day ended early, and Demeco Ryans had no update as Higgins continued to be evaluated for a leg injury, per Texans beat writer Cole Thompson.

After returning from a pinky injury, Jaylin Noel is now out with a hamstring injury, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for a few weeks.

The Texans on Thursday announced a two-year, $16 million extension with LB Henry To'oTo'o. It's a particularly interesting deal when you consider the playing-time fluctuations for the LB over the past two years.

Texans WR Tank Dell practiced in pads Wednesday for the first time since his devastating knee injury in December 2024. He remained limited, catching passes from QB C.J. Stroud and running full-speed routes but avoiding contact drills.

Texans WR Jaylin Noel is expected to miss "a few weeks" with a finger injury, GM Nick Caserio said Wednesday. Noel is battling Jayden Higgins, Tank Dell, and Xavier Hutchinson for snaps behind Nico Collins. Dell avoided the PUP list to open training camp, but Caserio said he still isn't ready for full-team work.

The Texans will take a “measured approach” with WR Tank Dell at the start of training camp, per team insider Aaron Wilson. That includes limited practices as he’s gradually introduced to drills with contact. He's working back from ACL, MCL, and LCL tears, along with meniscus damage, suffered in December 2024.

Texans insider Aaron Wilson believes the team is building a "smash mouth" offense "built around bell cow RB David Montgomery." Wilson notes that Houston's running game last year, led by RB Woody Marks, wasn't good enough. The team responded by trading for Montgomery and then giving him a two-year, $16.5 million deal. But just how big a role will Montgomery play this season?

Texans WR Jayden Higgins is drawing praise from his coaches and Houston media for his work this offseason. HC Demeco Ryans said recently that Higgins is "going to have a great year." Insider Aaron Wilson, meanwhile, called Higgins a "standout" in spring practices. He's "lined up at multiple spots and shown upgraded timing and chemistry with [QB C.J.] Stroud. Higgins is noticeably more muscular and explosive, too," Wilson added.

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte is currently not attending voluntary workouts with the Patriots, instead working out away from the facility. This could be an indication that trade rumors from SI’s Albert Breer about Boutte being available for a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick could be accurate. WR A.J. Brown is still expected to be traded from the Eagles to the Patriots after June 1st according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, which could push Boutte out with WRs Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III completing the current WR room.

The Texans selected Michigan TE Marlin Klein with the 59th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Klein grew up in Germany playing soccer before moving to the United States in high school to pursue football. A three-star recruit, he landed at Michigan as a raw prospect. He replaced Colston Loveland in 2025, but injuries limited him to a 24-248-1 receiving line. Even so, he ranks among the best athletes in the class. Among the 27 TEs invited to the NFL Combine, Klein ranked fourth in 2025 average depth of target (8.6), and 17th in team market share of receiving yards (13.4%). He ranked 18th in 2025 receiving yards per team pass attempt (1.01) and 12th in yards per route run (1.53).

Texans GM Nick Caserio chose his words carefully when responding to a question about WR Tank Dell's availability for the start of training camp. Dell is working his way back from ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus injuries suffered in December 2024. "With Tank, honestly, it’s probably a day to day, and we’ll kinda see where he is," Caserio said. "Probably have a better idea as we get through the spring, of what his availability is gonna be in training camp. He’s been here pretty religiously since he’s been able to do more, as he’s kinda gotten out of the rehab stage."

The Texans have picked up the fifth-year club option on QB C.J. Stroud, keeping him signed through the 2027 season, per beat writer Aaron Wilson. Stroud will now make $25.9 million fully guaranteed in 2027. Houston also picked up the fifth-year option on DE Will Anderson, who was selected immediately after Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Lions are trading RB David Montgomery to the Texans. According to NFL Network, Houston's sending fourth-round 2026 pick, a seventh-rounder in 2027, and OL Juice Scruggs to Detroit. Montgomery spent the past three years with the Lions after signing as a free agent. He remains under contract through 2027.

Texans WR Tank Dell is expected to be ready for the offseason program, GM Nick Caserio said Wednesday. Dell missed the entire 2025 season after damaging the ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus in his left knee in December 2024. He needed at least two surgeries. Caserio admitted that the team still doesn't know how Dell will fare coming off such a significant injury. "Have a better idea when you get on field what that actually looks like," Caserio said. "Knowing Tank, cautiously optimistic he can be Tank Dell." There simply aren't many instances of a player returning from an injury like this, so Dell is an impossible projection at this point of the offseason. He's no better than a late-round flier in early best-ball drafts -- but we'll certainly keep a close eye on his status throughout the offseason. Dell at least has age on his side at just 26.

Texans WR Nico Collins (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Patriots. He didn't practice all week. Collins would be likely -- but not a lock -- to play next weekend if Houston wins in New England. Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson project as the Texans' top three WRs on Sunday.