Xavier Hutchinson

As expected, Dell missed the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering a catastrophic knee injury in the playoffs last year. Dell suffered a torn ACL, which required surgery. He also underwent procedures on his MCL and LCL. The Texans drafted a pair of rookies on Day Two last year, but neither truly broke out in 2025. Even with Nico Collins out for the Divisional Round, Houston leaned on Christian Kirk and Xavier Hutchinson in their final game of the year. Getting Dell back could meaningfully improve the team's receiver rotation for 2026.

With the Texans in skill corps injury crisis as C.J. Stroud imploded vs. Mike Vrabel's defense, Hutchinson somehow commanded 10-plus targets for the first time in his three-year corps. Bizarre, and not a harbinger of things to come. Although Christian Kirk is headed to free agency, Nico Collins isn't going anywhere, while rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both intrigued in 2025. Hutchinson will probably make the 53-man roster in the final year of his rookie deal, but that's not locked in. He has 55 catches over 49 career contests. Admittedly, 35 of those came in 2025. This coaching staff probably likes Hutchinson enough to keep him around one more year.

One long-shot angle worth targeting pairs Drake Maye s downfield efficiency with Demario Douglas separation and explosive profile, making a bet like Maye over his passing yards alongside Douglas clearing a modest yardage threshold an intriguing upside play. On the other side, if New England s pass game forces Houston into a negative script, Xavier Hutchinson s expanded role without Nico Collins sets him up as the most likely Texans receiver to benefit from increased volume.

Missed practice all week Texans ruled out WR Nico Collins for Sunday s game vs. the Patriots. Collins was carted off last week after suffering a concussion and did not practice this week. (Adam Schefter on X) FF Today's Take: Without Collins the Texans will rely on slot man Christian Kirk, Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as their top receivers against New England. Kirk is probably the best fantasy option as he will mostly avoid outside DBs Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.

Texans WR Nico Collins (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Patriots. He didn't practice all week. Collins would be likely -- but not a lock -- to play next weekend if Houston wins in New England. Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson project as the Texans' top three WRs on Sunday.