Houston Texans Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Thursday that TE Dalton Schultz (knee) “is on an incline” in his recovery. "If he gets through Sunday clean, then we’ll have a chance” to play vs. the Giants on Monday night, McCarthy added. We'll continue to keep an eye on Schultz's progress, but the Monday kickoff could put fantasy owners in a tough spot.

Bills WR Stefan Diggs racked up a 12-148-3 receiving line in Monday night's beatdown of the Titans, drawing 36.8% of QB Josh Allen's targets. With WR Gabriel Davis out, TE Dawson Knox checked in 2nd in targets (5), receptions (4) and receiving yards (41). FB Reggie Gilliam claimed the remaining of QB Josh Allen's 4 TD tosses.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce went from trailing Rex Burkhead in Week 1 opportunities to a big lead in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. The rookie handled all 15 of Houston's RB carries, gaining 69 yards (4.6 per rush). He added an 8-yard catch on his only target. Burkhead still beat Pierce 3-2 in targets, catching 2 for 9 yards. But Pierce ran just 4 fewer routes than Burkhead against Denver. That gap proved wider in Week 1, with Burkhead running a route on 60% of drop backs vs. just 12% for Pierce.

ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz has a PCL "issue" in his right knee. "Unclear if Schultz could miss time at this point," Archer adds. Guess we'll see about the severity and Schultz's status for Week 3. Dallas "unofficially" lists rookie Jake Ferguson as Schultz's backup.

Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz received good news from Monday's MRI on his right knee, according to insider Michael Gehlken. "Damage to right knee could have been more substantial, and he's expected to avoid a significant absence," Gehlken tweeted. It's good news, although it still sounds like Schultz could miss games. We'll monitor his status this week.

Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz suffered a right knee injury in Sunday's win over the Bengals. There's no concern about the ACL, according to The Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken, but Schultz is scheduled for a Monday MRI. We should learn more over the next 24 hours. Fourth-round rookie Jake Ferguson is Dallas' #2 TE.

Texans TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Broncos. He was listed as questionable after getting in just limited practices on Wednesday and Friday. Jordan isn’t a viable Week 2 fantasy play after running a route on just 58% of pass plays in the opener.

Texans TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Broncos. He got in limited practices on Wednesday and Friday. Houston reportedly expects Jordan to play, but he wouldn’t have been a recommended fantasy play even at 100% after working in a 3-man TE committee alongside Pharaoh Brown and O.J. Howard in the opener.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon was fed 27 carries and 9 targets in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh. He turned the heavy workload into 145 total yards and 7 catches, the latter mark matching a career high. Sure, Joe Burrow tossed 53 passes in a game that lasted all 70 minutes. But it was still encouraging to see Mixon deliver as a pass-catcher following spotty production there last season. His 9 targets accounted for 17% of Burrow's total pass attempts, a rate in line with Mixon's increased passing game usage through last year's playoffs. Samaje Perine mixed in for only 1 carry and 3 catches (5 targets). Look for Mixon to remain busy this week at Dallas — especially if Tee Higgins (concussion) is sidelined.

The Texans list rookie RB Dameon Pierce #1 on their initial regular-season depth chart. Although "unofficial," this matches up with all other indicators from the team through preseason. Pierce carries upside from RB3 range in fantasy football drafts.

Texans rookie RB Dameon Pierce ran for 37 yards and a TD on 6 carries in Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers. Pierce started the game and handled Houston's first 4 RB carries before giving way to Rex Burkhead for a 2nd-down run on the opening possession. Pierce then converted the 3rd-and-1 play that followed and later scored the 1-yard TD run to close the drive. That marked the end of Pierce's night, with Burkhead, Marlon Mack and other playing on. HC Lovie Smith tried to temper the buzz on Pierce ahead of the game. “We’re talking a lot about Dameon, but I’m going to say the same thing for, we like what Marlon has done, Royce, Rex, Dare," he said Wednesday, per Texans Wire. "We have a good group. We have a good strong running back room.” It's pretty clear that the rookie will lead that room into the season. Just how much work Pierce gets will be the question we can't answer. And it's worth keeping in mind that no one expects this offense to rank in the top half of the league. Still, there's a case to be made for Pierce anywhere beyond the top 24 RBs in fantasy football drafts right now. The rookie moved up our RB rankings a little this morning.

HC Lovie Smith spoke highly of rookie S Jalen Pitre after Thursday night's preseason-closing win over the 49ers: “What we notice, is when you’re making a whole lot of big flash plays. Jalen has been consistent throughout. He’s a smart player. He’s been like a sponge as far as learning. But he’s going to be around the ball. That’s what we’ve seen since OTAs. I’m excited about going forward with him and him lining up for us when Indy comes into town.” Pitre brings the versatility to fill varied roles in the Houston defense, which could include plenty of snaps in the box. He's an upside pick late in deep-ish IDP drafts.

The 49ers plan to place S Jimmie Ward on short-term IR, and he's expected to miss at least 4 games. GM John Lynch announced the plan Thursday night, for a hamstring injury that HC Kyle Shanahan had previously deemed "significant."

Texans HC Lovie Smith commented on WR Nico Collins following Week 2 of the preseason. Collins (6'4, 215) caught a jump ball in the end zone — something Smith hopes to see more of this fall. "Nico's a big target with a lot of talent," Smith said. "We want to get him in those type of [jump ball] situations. We continue to run the ball well. If we run the ball well, we'll get more one-on-one situations for Nico. As I say, he's got length, he can catch the ball. It's a big play by him there. He's capable of making a lot of plays like that.” We’re fully on board with the 2nd-year man as a late-round target in fantasy drafts.

The Texans elected not to play rookie RB Dameon Pierce in Saturday night's 2nd preseason game against the Rams. HC Lovie Smith said afterward that it was because they didn't need to see him, according to Pro Football Talk. Marlon Mack started the game, with Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman all working in as well. This doesn't necessarily mean that Pierce will lead the Week 1 backfield, but it sure seems to indicate things are heading in that direction. Pierce should certainly be the 1st Texans RB drafted (and the only one picked in many leagues). But be wary of chasing him too early. We still don't expect this to be a good offense, and the veteran RBs do figure to work in for touches. Smith said recently that all the RBs "have a certain strength."

ESPN Texans reporter DJ Bien-Aime believes "it's only a matter of time" before Houston OC Pep Hamilton makes rookie RB Dameon Pierce the "lead back." Bien-Aime believes the takeover could happen by sometime in September, pointing to the rookie's "explosiveness" edge over Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead. Pierce worked behind others in the 1st preseason game but certainly showed best among what we all knew to be a lackluster group. Pierce has been our highest-projected Texans RB all along.

Niners S Jimmie Ward is dealing with a hamstring injury. According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, HC Kyle Shanahan called it "worse than others" and said Ward is in danger of missing Week 1. It's not a big storyline for IDP purposes, but Ward has a place in deep leagues. His absence would be a slight knock on the team defense as well.

Titans reporter Jim Wyatt writes that “it’s clear [Robert] Woods is feeling better each day, and he’s showing up more and more.” Woods, 30, has recovered nicely from a mid-November ACL tear. He projects as the co-#1 target alongside rookie WR Treylon Burks. See which Titans WR we rank higher for the 2022 season.

Titans WR Robert Woods avoided the PUP list to open training camp. He's about 8-and-a-half months removed from tearing his ACL and isn't even wearing a brace on the surgically repaired knee. It looks like Woods will be close to 100% by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Texans WR John Metchie has been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. "I am currently receiving great medical care, am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time," Metchie said in a statement. "As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season. My main focus will be on my health and recovery." We'll keep tabs on Metchie and wish him the best in his recovery. The 2nd-round rookie projected as Houston's slot receiver once recovered from his torn ACL. The Texans are now left with WRs Chris Conley, Phillip Dorsett and Chris Moore behind Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins. TE Brevin Jordan might also benefit from Metchie's absence.