Houston

Texans

Anderson was dealing with what the team initially called a soft-tissue injury back on August 7. We haven’t seen much from him since, but we now know the injury is related to his ankle. While he hasn’t practiced in weeks, Ryans appears optimistic about Anderson’s availability for Week 1. Anderson totaled 45 tackles, 10 TFLs, and seven sacks as a rookie and is expected to take a big leap forward in his second season as a pro.

Metchie caught 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in the preseason and appears to be fully back after missing all of 2022 while battling Leukemia. The former second-rounder is, at best, fourth on the Texans’ receiver depth chart and won’t be in line for much playing time as long as Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell are healthy. Metchie caught 16 passes for 158 scoreless yards last season while playing 44.5 percent of his snaps from the slot, per PFF. In college, Metchie played primarily out wide, and at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, he has the size to play out wide or in the slot as a pro. There are a handful of teams who could put Metchie to work as a starter if the Texans are willing to part with him. This remains a situation to watch with roster cutdowns looming.

The reserve cornerback was carted off in the first quarter of the Texans’ third preseason game with a leg injury and is questionable to return. Boyd has reportedly had an excellent camp and preseason and was pushing to be a regular contributor on special teams in addition to providing depth in the secondary.

Mixon, who has dealt with an undisclosed injury for much of the past month, worked with Houston’s first team offense during Wednesday’s 11-on-11 drills, ripping off a couple big runs. Mixon has yet to play in the preseason and likely won’t suit up until the Texans’ regular season opener against the Colts. Texans coaches have described Mixon — who signed a three-year extension with the Texans in March — as a workhorse back. Dameon Pierce will likely be little more than a breather back for Mixon.

Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Texans are giving $5.25 million in new money and $8.75 million in guaranteed cash over the next two years. He is now under contract through 2025. The veteran safety totaled 50 tackles and one interception last season and was one of the players who followed DeMeco Ryans from the 49ers to the Texans. Ward started all 10 games he appeared in, and provides a valuable presence as a veteran entering his 11th season as a pro.

PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes all Texans tight ends played for extended durations due to a injury-thinned personnel group. Schultz is the team’s TE1 but rookie Cade Stover made the most of his opportunities, catching 3-of-3 targets for 32 yards, including one target earned on his lone first-team snap.

Pierce totaled just one rushing yard on two first-team rushing attempts, doing little to persuade Texans coaches he should be competing with Joe Mixon for the starting role. Pierce was later credited with one missed tackle forced.

Dell logged four total first-team snaps in his return from a season-ending fibula fracture in his 2023 rookie season. He notably played behind offseason acquisition, Stefon Diggs, but delivered an explosive, 15-plus-yard score. PFF credits him with two missed tackles forced on the play. Dell lined up on the perimeter on three-of-four snaps, effectively replicating his rookie-season 74.9 percent pre-snap-alignment perimeter rate, and tacked on a 22-yard punt return for good measure. The No. 3 WR usage is less than ideal but his explosive results accurately his fantasy football upside.

Diggs played in both two- and three-wide receiver sets, kicking inside for four slot snaps after Tank Dell took the field. The usage suggests Diggs is first in line to handle the Texans’ high-value slot receiver duties, while also maintaining the primary No. 2 perimeter role. While improved performance is not guaranteed, talented veteran receivers who transition to a slot-heavy role late in their careers have a strong track record of fantasy success.

Collins maintained his perimeter receiver role, lining up out wide on all six plays. He was on the field in both two- and three-wide receiver sets, boding positively for his likely usage as the Texans’ passing-game alpha wide receiver.