Depth chart uncertain behind him
Collins is the clear No. 1 wide receiver for the Texans heading into the regular season, but the pecking order at the position behind him is uncertain, as Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel (hamstring), Kayshon Boutte and Jared Wayne are vying for roles, while Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports that Tank Dell (knee) will begin the season on IR with a designation to return.
Jayden Higgins had been set to start opposite Collins, but Higgins suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice, prompting the Texans to trade for Boutte from the Patriots. Dell has had the most success out of the options behind Collins, but the 2023 third-round pick hasn't suited up since the 2024 season and will miss at least the first four games of 2026. Collins has exceeded 1,000 regular-season receiving yards while scoring at least seven total touchdowns in each of the past three campaigns.
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Woody Marks
Expected to split backfield work
Marks is expected to split backfield work pretty evenly with David Montgomery this season, Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
David Montgomery
Tops RB depth chart over Marks and Brooks
Montgomery is one of three running backs on Houston's 53-man roster, along with Woody Marks and British Brooks, Jared Koch of SI.com reports.
C.J. Stroud
Injuries and trade reshape WR room
Stroud heads into the regular season with Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel (hamstring) and Kayshon Boutte as his top wide receivers, while Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports that Tank Dell (knee) will begin the season on IR with a designation to return.
Dalton Schultz
Held out of exhibition games
Schultz did not play in any of the Texans' three preseason games.
Tank Dell
Inching closer to return
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that Dell (knee) is getting "closer" to a return, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "He's close, he's not quite there," Caserio said. "He's closer than he was during training camp."
Tank Dell
Landing on IR
Dell (knee) will begin the season on IR with a designation to return, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Jawhar Jordan
Expected back at practice soon
Jordan (hip) is likely to resume practicing next week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Wraps up perfect preseason
Fairbairn converted both his field-goal attempts and his only PAT during Friday's 16-13 preseason loss to the Panthers.
Kayshon Boutte
Dealt to Texans
The Patriots traded Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick Monday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Perfect against Vegas
Fairbairn converted both field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries in Thursday night's 22-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.