Texans DB Jalen Pitre suffered a partial pectoral tear in Sunday's loss to the Titans that is expected to cost him "multiple weeks," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The team doesn't yet know how long he'll be out or whether Pitre will eventually need surgery.
What They're Saying
Pelissero: "But a return to play this season is still on the table."
2024 Fantasy Football Impact
If a 2024 return is merely "on the table," for Pitre, that obviously means he's no lock to play again this season.
With just five weeks left in most fantasy seasons, that means Pitre is droppable in many IDP redraft leagues.
The third-year man sits at the bottom of DB2 territory in total fantasy points (depending on your format) but outside the top 50 in points per game at a volatile and tightly packed position.
Pitre has spent more than half his time this season in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus, after working primarily as a SS (both deep and in the box) over his first two years.
Other Winners & Losers
S Jimmie Ward shifted to the slot after Pitre left Sunday's game. Fellow S Eric Murray has played the second-most slot snaps among Texans this season, but Ward played there ahead of him in that game and appears to be the best bet to take over Pitre's role.
Pitre's absence should solidify Murray's playing time at SS, though. Murray has played 78% of snaps or more in eight of the past nine games. He slipped under 90% the past three weeks, though, after three straight games of full time in Ward's absence. That included just 46% in Week 11.
Houston DBs get a decent matchup with Jacksonville in Week 13 ahead of a Week 14 bye and an upside matchup with Miami.
Ward looks like the better waiver add than Murray this week, though neither is a "must."