Dylan Stapleton – Syndication Server

Report: Texans TE Dylan Stapleton fractured shoulder, possibly out 5-7 weeks

Houston Texans undrafted tight end Dylan Stapleton sustained a small fracture in his shoulder and could be out from five to seven weeks.

The attrition of training camp has put a rookie’s career on the shelf for the time being.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Texans undrafted rookie tight end Dylan Stapleton sustained a small fracture in his shoulder during training camp when he was diving for a pass. While the initial diagnosis reveals the former James Madison product won’t need surgery, the five to seven weeks of recovery could be too extensive that the club may reach and injury settlement. Before Stapleton’s arrival, the Texans had Kahale Warring and Jordan Thomas battling for the third tight end spot.

Texans tight end Dylan Stapleton suffered a small fracture in his shoulder diving for a pass, per sources, initial diagnosis won't need surgery, injury settlement likely, could take 5-7 weeks. Stapleton was praised by Texans coach-GM Bill O'Brien and had a strong training camp

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 31, 2020

Stapleton was catching the attention of coaches during camp. Now, Stapleton will have to work on his recovery and see if he can still contribute to the Texans or in the NFL in general.

While the Texans’ official depth chart hasn’t been released, Jordan Akins is presumed to be atop the depth chart at tight end. Darren Fells is the backup, or red zone threat behind Akins. Thomas and Warring were battling it out for the third spot, and Stapleton was giving them a run for their money.

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Undrafted tight end Dylan Stapleton catching attention in Texans training camp

Undrafted rookie free agent tight end Dylan Stapleton has been making an impression on the Houston Texans coaching staff during training camp.

The Houston Texans are stacked at tight end with Jordan Akins and Darren Fells. The competition between Jordan Thomas and Kahale Warring for the third tight end spot makes for a good problem to have in training camp.

Dylan Stapleton, an undrafted free agent from James Madison, is catching more than passes from backup quarterbacks A.J. McCarron and Alex McGough. The tight end is also catching attention from coach Bill O’Brien.

“He just is smart and takes to coaching very well,” O’Brien told the Housotn Chronicle’s John McClain after Friday’s practice. “He knows how to, when we coach him, how to run a man route versus a zone route and he carries that to the field.”

Stapleton caught 35 passes for 426 yards and a touchdown in his final season with the Dukes. However, what doesn’t show up as a statistic, but nonetheless qualifies when it comes to evaluating the 6-5, 242-pound tight end, is his ability to comprehend and willingness to do the dirty part of his job: block.

“He doesn’t space out and forget what we told him in the meetings, and then he can catch the ball and then he’s a willing blocker,” O’Brien said. “He’s young and he has a long way to go, but he’s willing to do what we’re asking him to do.”

The Texans will have to trim down to a 53-man roster by the end of training camp. Stapleton is making the case for the coaching staff that he should get consideration, though the practice squad would be a more plausible entry point for the Indiana, Pennsylvania, native’s NFL career.

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3 undrafted free agents who have a chance to make Texans’ final roster

If the Houston Texans have three undrafted free agents with a good shot at making the final roster in September, it is these guys.

The Houston Texans began signing undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday.

Undrafted free agents have a tougher time than ever to make NFL rosters at the end of preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the league’s offseason workouts and practices. Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien believes this will make it more advantageous for veterans when it comes to roster construction.

Nevertheless, here are three of the Texans’ undrafted free agents who have a shot to make the final roster in September.

1. TCU G Cordel Iwuagwu

At 6-3, 309 pounds, Iwuagwu is virtually the same height as Greg Mancz, just an inch shorter. Iwuagwu could help the Texans get younger along the interior offensive line. In fact, he could be a Mancz starter kit as he also worked on adding the center skill set to his toolbox. Adding Iwuagwu would help the Texans transition from Senio Kelemete. It is unfathomable to believe Iwuagwu could start over Zach Fulton at right guard.

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