Houston Texans Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Texans WR Tank Dell went without a catch in Sunday's loss at Green Bay. It marked the first time in his young career that Dell didn't record a reception in a game he didn't leave early. His only previous no-catch game came in Week 13 last season, when Dell suffered a season-ending leg fracture on just his ninth snap.

The Colts have downgraded LB E.J. Speed (knee) to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. This is a surprising turn after Speed advanced to a full practice Friday. Jaylon Carlies has run as Indy's third LB and figures to see his role elevated. The rookie hasn't made more than 2 solo tackles or 4 total tackles in a game yet, though. There's IDP upside -- especially against a Tyler Huntley-led Dolphins offense. But there's also risk that Carlies doesn't take on Speed's full role. Segun Olubi and Grant Stuard are other options. Neither has played a defensive snap yet this season.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair left Sunday's win over the Patriots with a knee injury. HC Demeco Ryans said afterward that Al-Shaair tried to return but couldn't and that he's "getting evaluated." That means both LB starters are dealing with injuries this week. (Henry To'oTo'o has a concussion.) And LB Christian Harris has yet to come off IR for his calf injury. Neville Hewitt filled in for Al-Shaair against New England and would start in his place if he can't go. Jake Hansen looks like the next man up if To'oTo'o is out and Harris isn't ready. We'll watch for updates on the whole crew this week.

Texans LB Henry To'oTo'o landed in the concussion protocol after Sunday's win over the Patriots. That obviously challenges his status for a Week 7 visit to Green Bay. We'll have to watch for updates throughout the week on multiple injury situations among Houston LBs -- including the pending return of Christian Harris from IR.

Texans RB Joe Mixon returned from his ankle injury with a big game rushing 13 times for 102 yards and a TD. He also caught 2 of 3 targets for 30 yards including a second TD. Mixon took 13 of the 25 RB touches in the game due to the blowout

Texans WR Tank Dell caught 6 of 7 targets for 77 yards and finally caught a TD with WR Nico Collins out. As long as Collins is on the sideline, Dell should be a solid fantasy contributor.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Patriots. He’s been out since Week 2 and got in just two limited practices this week. That adds obvious risk to Mixon’s profile, although he’s still worth starting for many fantasy teams. See where Mixon sits in the Week 6 Rankings.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is expected to play vs. the Patriots today. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable. We're projecting Mixon's workload to be scaled back a bit in his first action since Week 2, but he still checks in 15th among RBs in the Week 6 Rankings.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Patriots. He put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is expected to play, according to insider Aaron Wilson. We’d expect Mixon’s volume to be scaled back at least a little in his first action since Week 2. But he still checks in as a top-15 RB play in the Week 6 Rankings.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) put in a limited practice on Thursday -- his first since the Friday before Week 4. It gives Mixon a chance to play vs. the Patriots this weekend, although Houston has wisely been cautious with this injury. We'll see how Mixon is listed on Friday's final injury report.

Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. HC Demeco Ryans labeled him "week to week" on Monday, so fantasy owners should not be expecting Mixon back for this weekend's game vs. the Patriots. RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday and is on track to return for Sunday's game. In that case, you should avoid Houston's backfield in Week 6 fantasy lineups.

The Texans placed WR Nico Collins on IR. That knocks him out for at least the next four games vs. the Patriots, Packers, Colts, and Jets. Collins will be eligible to return for Week 10's game against the Lions. "While hamstrings can be tricky, the belief is that Nico Collins will be back sooner, rather than later," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets.

Texans HC Demeco Ryans said Monday that RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is "definitely improving" but wouldn't say whether Mixon will be back for this weekend's game vs. the Patriots. Mixon returned to Friday's practice ahead of Week 4 but did not practice at all this past week, so it looks like he suffered a setback.

When addressing WR Nico Collins' injury on Monday, Texans HC Demeco Ryans said, "it takes a couple of weeks for a hamstring, so we'll evaluate that on a week-to-week basis." It's not exactly a concrete timetable for Collins' return, but it sounds like the Texans are bracing for a potential multi-game absence. We'll keep an eye on Collins this week, but fantasy owners should at least prepare to be without him for this Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. Collins' absence would leave behind a ton of opportunity for WRs Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Xavier Hutchinson stepped in as Houston's No. 3 WR in the second half of last week's game but would be a desperation fantasy play.

The Texans consider WR Nico Collins "day to day" with the hamstring injury that knocked him out of Sunday's game vs. the Bills, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It sounds like Collins avoided a significant injury, although we'd still consider him iffy for Week 6's meeting with the Patriots. We'll keep you updated on Collins' status throughout this week. WRs Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell will get rankings boosts with Collins misses more time.

Texans WR Tank Dell caught all four of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's win over the Bills. He also carried once for a loss of five yards. The quiet outing was even more disappointing considering WR Nico Collins missed the entire second half with a hamstring injury. Dell ranked just fourth on the Texans in targets with a 10.5% share.

Texans WR Nico Collins is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Bills with a leg injury. His last play was a 67-yard TD. Collins made his way back to the locker room under his own power. We'll update his status when we know more.

Update: Collins has a hamstring injury.

Update: Collins has been ruled out.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is inactive for today's game vs. the Bills. That again leaves the backfield to Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, and J.J. Taylor. Akers figures to lead in touches but ceded carries to Taylor and passing-down snaps to Ogunbowale last week.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is not expected to play vs. the Bills today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pierce just returned to a limited practice on Friday after missing the last three games, so it's no surprise that he's not ready yet. With RB Joe Mixon (ankle) also out, Houston will again roll with RBs Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, and J.J. Taylor.

Texans WR Tank Dell (chest) is not listed on the final Week 5 injury report. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday, so he should be ready for a full slate of snaps vs. the Bills this weekend.