Houston Texans Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Jaguars are trading WR Christian Kirk to the Texans for a seventh-round pick in 2026, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The compensation's obviously low because the Jags had already made it known they planned to release Kirk. By giving up a late pick in next year's draft, Houston gets the final year of Kirk's existing contract (at $16.5 million) instead of having to compete for him on the open market.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Jaguars plan to release WR Christian Kirk when the new league year begins next week. Kirk spent the past three years in Jacksonville after arriving as a free agent from Arizona. He finished WR12 in total PPR points in 2022 but then lost 14 games to injuries over the past two seasons. The Jaguars planned to trade Kirk to the Steelers last year before the wideout suffered a broken collarbone in Week 8. His release will reportedly save Jacksonville "over $10.4 million" in cap space.

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler believes there’s a 75% chance the Jaguars cut WR Christian Kirk. Fowler adds that Kirk’s contract is “reasonable enough that the Jaguars might be able to get something for him in a trade if he’s healthy.” The former Cardinal missed most of 2024 with a collarbone injury. Now, the Jags are ushering in a new HC and GM. Kirk ultimately isn’t someone we’d target in early best ball drafts.

Texans WR Tank Dell has undergone successful surgery to repair the MCL and LCL in his left knee but still needs a second surgery to repair the ACL, insider Aaron Wilson reports. That second procedure will happen soon, per Wilson. We haven't heard a rehab timeline for the December 21 injury, but Wilson writes that Dell's return will "likely" come in 2026. That matches the last report we got on Dell a few days after he went down. He's not worth a pick in early best-ball drafts. We'll keep you updated on his recovery.

The Texans hired Nick Caley as their new OC, replacing Bobby Slowik. Caley spent the past two seasons working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, holding the title of TEs coach in 2023 and passing game coordinator last year. He was with the Patriots from 2015 through 2022. Those first seven offenses were led by OC Josh McDaniels. We'll see what Caley picked up from McVay and McDaniels, but this will be his first time calling plays at any level. Priority No. 1 will be helping QB C.J. Stroud rebound from a disappointing sophomore season. Houston also has work to do on its offensive line and WR corps, with Stefon Diggs a free agent and Tank Dell likely to miss most or all of the 2025 season.

The Texans fired OC Bobby Slowik, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's a big fall for Slowik, who was mentioned as a potential HC candidate just a year ago. He helped QB C.J. Stroud to an impressive 2023 rookie season, with Houston finishing 12th in total yards and 13th in points. But Stroud and the Texans offense took a step back this past year, ranking 22nd in yards and 19th in points. Slowik took some heat for a high early-down run rate, but the Texans finished 10th in neutral pass rate and fifth in pass rate over expected. To our eyes, the biggest issue in Houston was an offensive line that ranked 31st in ESPN's run block win rate and 22nd in pass block win rate. We'll see what the Texans do to bolster that unit this offseason -- and who they tab to replace Slowik.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is active for today's game against the Chiefs. He was questionable with a knee issue that kept him out of Tuesday's practice and limited Al-Shaair the next two days. He was expected to play, though.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is active for today's game vs. the Chiefs. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday. So it's safe to assume Mixon won't be at 100% today, although there never seemed to be much doubt about whether he'd play. See where Mixon lands in the Divisional Round RB Rankings.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) has a "very, very real chance" to play vs. the Chiefs, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Friday morning. "Not a major injury," Rapoport adds of the ankle that landed Mixon on the injury report on Thursday. We're still projecting him to play close to his usual role against Kansas City but will continue to keep an eye on his status.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Round game vs. the Chiefs. After being added to the injury report and limited on Wednesday, Mixon did not practice on Thursday. He seems legitimately iffy for this one. Mixon's absence would leave Dameon Pierce as Houston's lead back and deal a big blow to the Texans' chances of pulling the upset in Kansas City. We'll keep you updated on Mixon's status and get Houston's inactives around 3 pm ET on Saturday.

Texans RB Joe Mixon was added to Wednesday's injury report and limited in practice with an ankle. We don't have any other details on his status right now. We'll see if Mixon practices on Thursday and then how he's listed on the final injury report for Saturday's Divisional Round game vs. the Chiefs. Mixon's absence would leave Dameon Pierce as Houston's lead back -- and likely mean a pass-heavier game plan.

Texans TE Cade Stover needs surgery for a shoulder injury he suffered in the Wild Card win over the Chargers, HC Demeco Ryans said Tuesday. Stover has been operating as Houston's No. 2 TE for most of the season, catching 15 of 22 targets for 133 yards and a score across 15 regular-season games. He caught all four of his targets for 28 yards in the playoff opener. We'll look for more details on Stover's injury and see when he's able to get back on the field. But with TE Dalton Schultz likely back in Houston for 2025, Stover is unlikely to be a fantasy factor.

Texans WR John Metchie (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Wild Card Game vs. the Chargers. He put in a full practice on Thursday, so it'd be surprising if he didn't play. Metchie projects to run the second-most routes among Houston WRs this weekend, putting him in play as a cheap flier in DFS tournaments.

Texans Edge Will Anderson Jr. and LB Christian Harris are inactive for today's game against the Titans. Harris was questionable with an ankle issue, but Anderson practiced in full all week. His deactivation at the least could signal a bit about Houston's plan in a game it doesn't need to win. Most other defensive starters are available, but there will be risk to any of them in IDP lineups.

Texans HC Demeco Ryans was vague when asked whether he'll play starters in Sunday's finale vs. the Titans. Houston is locked into the AFC's No. 4 seed. "Everybody has to be ready to go," Ryans said of Week 18. "Everybody will be out there playing and we'll see how the game goes. But, for us right now, we gotta go play better." The Texans could certainly use some positive momentum heading into the playoffs coming off two straight losses, including a 31-2 shellacking at the hands of the Ravens on Christmas. So it'd make sense for the regulars to play at least a few series. But we'd be surprised if guys like QB C.J. Stroud, RB Joe Mixon, and WR Nico Collins played the entire game.

Colts LB E.J. Speed is active for today's game against the Giants. He managed just one practice this week after missing Week 16, but it was a full Friday workout. We've added Speed in LB2 territory of the Week 17 rankings. His activation likely slices playing time for rookie LB Jaylon Carlies.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud wrapped up an alarming fantasy season with a bad outing in the lopsided Week 17 loss to Baltimore. Stroud threw for just 185 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT on 17-of-31 passing (5.97 yards per attempt). Barring a monumental QB collapse through the rest of Week 17, it'll mark Stroud's ninth weekly fantasy finish of 18th or lower this season. He sits outside the top 24 in fantasy points per game for the season.

Texans WR Tank Dell tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL and sustained damage to the meniscus in his left knee in the Week 16 loss to the Chiefs, according to insider Aaron Wilson. Dell will need multiple surgeries and might miss the entire 2025 season, Wilson adds.

Texans WR Tank Dell has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, dislocated kneecap, and other damage in his left knee, HC Demeco Ryans said Monday. That ends Dell's 2024 season and figures to challenge his availability for the start of the 2025 campaign. We'll see when Dell has surgery and look for a timetable for return.

Texans TE Dalton Schultz racked up 5 catches, 45 yards, and 1 score in Saturday's loss to Kansas City. His 8 targets ranked second on the team.