Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is WR Tank Dell, whose promising rookie season was cut short due to injury.
The Houston Texans had an unbelievable year.
After three consecutive, dreadful campaigns in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, they turned things around in a big way under first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
In a season that saw players step up across the board, it’s a fruitful exercise to look at who made the biggest impact on the Texans making such a dramatic leap and if they’re likely to repeat that same type of performance in 2024.
This list is counting through the Top 15 Most Impactful Texans, with Sheldon Rankins and Devin Singletary already receiving well-deserved nods. Now, attention turns to the explosive rookie wide receiver Tank Dell.
Tank Dell met with the media for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury, where he discussed the Texans’ bright future.
As the Houston Texans players cleaned out their lockers on Monday, there was an upbeat spirit throughout as players dipped in and out of the locker room going through their end-of-season checklist. Laughter and handshakes could be heard, and the customary “See you when workouts begin” was usually how the conversations ended.
Media members did their best to talk to whoever they could get a camera in front of one last time. Still, there was one player whose locker was constantly occupied by a couple of individuals who wanted to be sure that they had the perfect spot when he walked in, and as soon as he did, his infectious energy filled the room.
“What’s up everybody,” said Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, as he positioned himself to answer questions.
It was the first time since he suffered a broken fibula in the Texans’ Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos that the media was allowed to talk to him. As usual, Dell answered every question with the energetic nature that he has displayed since Houston drafted him in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
“It has been great just seeing the guys (teammates) accomplish so much this year,” Dell said about the Texans season. “So many people sold us short this year, and for them to go to the second round…we wanted more, but that is just a stepping stone to start where we want to be in the future. I was just rooting for them guys the whole time. Just trying to support the best way I can and support them guys.”
“Before we ever stepped on the field to be Houston Texans, we were just talking about what we wanted to come true and bring to fruition and what we wanted to achieve in a short time in our first year,” Dell said exclusively to @TheTexansWire about the 2023 rookie class. #Sargepic.twitter.com/p9mPsp71dX
Dell, a superstar wideout from the University of Houston, made sure his energy could be felt around the facility and on the sidelines as soon as the team doctors medically cleared him.
During the AFC wild card game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium, Dell greeted his best friend and fellow rookie teammate, quarterback C.J. Stroud, on the sidelines after a miscue between Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins that would have resulted in a touchdown as Collins was at least four steps ahead of the nearest defender. Stroud was visibly upset that he could not connect with Collins, but Dell was there to reassure him of who he was.
“Everybody knows that is my real deal brother off the field,” Dell told Texans Wire when reminded of that occurrence. “Even though I did not have to go up to C.J. after that play and tell him anything because he is poised. That play, he will forget about it and go in and win the game. I know the energy that I bring to my teammates and C.J. I was just telling him, ‘Man, you are the best ever, and that ain’t nothing. Watch how you are going to win the game.’”
Stroud rebounded from the miscommunication with Collins to help lead his team to a 45-14 victory over the Browns and helped the Texans advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
“Tank [Dell] is definitely somebody who we love to have around,” Stroud said during his mid-week press conference. “He’s definitely the most outgoing person on this team, for sure. Just how he acts, his vibe, his positivity rubs off on everybody, so I love having Tank around. I’m constantly around him a lot still, so it’s really just a blessing to have a guy like still be joyful in a moment where he’s going through a lot.”
The two rookies developed chemistry early in their rookie season and were well on their way to becoming a dangerous combination and headache for defensive coordinators. Dell recorded his first 100-yard-plus game in a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he and Stroud connected for 145 yards and a touchdown. They duplicated that performance in a victory over the Arizona Cardinals when Dell finished the game with 149 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Throughout some of his roughest days, both mentally and physically, Dell has leaned on his faith to get him through the most brutal battle he has had to endure playing the game he loves so much. He is eager to get back on the field and improve upon his 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in ten games played during his rookie season.
“I just felt like that was a test run for me,” Dell told reporters. “I had a lot more to display, but you know God puts you through some things for a reason. I just keep my head up because I know the years to come are going to be special here.”
“Tank [Dell] is definitely somebody who we love to have around,” Stroud said during his mid-week press conference. “He’s definitely the most outgoing person on this team, for sure. Just how he acts, his vibe, his positivity rubs off on everybody, so I love having Tank around.” pic.twitter.com/PiSI5LzbkP
Texans first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans rookie class has been exceptional this season, and that is a testament to not only Ryans and his staff but the character of the young men he drafted to be a building block for the organization. They are very talented and leaned on each other heavily for advice and support to get through the most extended season they have ever been a part of during their playing days.
Those guys, the hometown love from fans, and all the University of Houston football team supporters helped Dell keep his energetic vibe throughout his recovery.
“Before we ever stepped on the field to be Houston Texans, we were just talking about what we wanted to come true and bring to fruition and what we wanted to achieve in a short time in our first year,” Dell said exclusively to Texans Wire about the 2023 rookie class. “Like I was telling you (during the 2023 NFL Draft Combine) how I wanted to be here in H-Town [Houston] because it was like home for me.”
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud vs. Jim Schwartz’s Browns defense is one of the best matchups of wild-card weekend. Here’s how it could play out.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree, so you know that he wants to fool your defense with personnel. Slowik had been a defensive assistant and passing game coordinator under Shanahan both in Washington and San Francisco, so if there’s a 49ers-ish tint to what the Texans are doing, don’t be surprised.
One thing you’ll see from the Texans is explosive passing plays out of heavier personnel. It’s a Shanahan staple, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels (Shanahan’s former run game coordinator in San Francisco) draws on it as much as anybody, and Slowik continues that trend. Rookie sensation C.J. Stroud has 62 explosive passing plays in the 2023 season, and 22 of those plays have come out of 12, 13, 21, and 22 personnel — with multiple tight ends and/or running backs on the field.
Why is this effective? In preparation for his team’s wild-card matchup with the Cleveland Browns’ outstanding defense, Slowik got into why he likes to run things the way he runs them.
“That was very intentional coming into the season that we did that,” Slowik said when asked why ne needs his personnel looks to be interchangeable. “Obviously in San Francisco that’s kind of how that offense was built. I was lucky and fortunate enough to be there kind of when that evolution happened and we really started getting different pieces like that with guys that could play multiple positions. Really, you just see how freeing it is as someone who has to game plan, as a play caller, but also, it’s freeing for the quarterback. Just being able to know, ‘Wherever I distribute this ball, on my four reads on this play, I trust and I love all these dudes. I want to get all of them the ball.’ That’s really important.”
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik smiles before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Slowik also deploys different guys in different positions because it makes things easier for the quarterback, giving him more pure progression reads against match-style coverages.
“I feel like a lot of it now, more across the NFL, there’s more just zones and different versions of zones, in particular soft zones where you can’t always determine where the ball’s going when teams are doing that,” Slowik said. “So sometimes – I think that’s part of why a lot of NFL teams have gone to so much pure progressions where you just go from one to two to three because it just simplifies that whole process and at some point you know you have to get a completion, and you can’t always determine who that’s to. I know for us, that’s why we coach how you handle yards after the catch, how you handle transition, how you handle when the ball is thrown to you in eight yards or less, how we’re making the most of those opportunities and getting the most yards, getting vertical on that stuff.
“We coach that a lot, namely because those are the teams that it’s really hard to game plan against when you can’t pin-point where the ball is going and the quarterback has to go and distribute it all the way across the field. That would be the No. 1 thing to me.”
One thing Slowik knows he’s likely to see from Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense is single-high coverage. The Browns have played middle-of-the-field-closed coverage at a 64% clip, most in the NFL. Now, Schwartz loves to mix that up with different looks and inverted coverages, but you know what you’re going to get there. The task for Stroud, who missed Houston’s Week 16 loss to the Browns with a concussion, is to wade through all of that with the personnel he has. And that’s tough, because the Texans are missing a lot of their top receivers right now — Nathaniel “Tank” Dell is out, and Noah Brown and Robert Woods are questionable.
Fortunately, Stroud still has world-beater Nico Collins. And this is where the matchup could tilt in Houston’s favor.
Per @robertmays and @Nate_Tice of The Athletic Football Show, the Browns have faced 143 snaps of 12 personnel this season. They've put eight defenders in the box against on 90 of those snaps.
Another bit of good news for the Texans is that Stroud has absolutely annihilated single-high coverage this season. Against Cover-1 and Cover-3, Stroud has completed 141 of 228 passes for 2,054 yards, 1,335 air yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 105.4 – only Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson have higher passer ratings against MOFC coverage this season. Stroud is great at challenging single-high with crossers underneath, and quick-to-intermediate out routes to displace cornerbacks playing to the numbers.
And it’s not just Collins. Stroud can find openings against anybody with heavy personnel, as he showed on this 26-yard pass to fullback Andrew Beck against the New York Jets in Week 14. It was a hard crosser underneath the Jets’ Cover-3, and another example of a great defense a step behind what Slowik drew up, and what Stroud executed.
Explosive plays out of heavy personnel. A Shanahan staple, a Mike McDaniel non-negotiable, and @HoustonTexans OC Bobby Slowik is killing defenses with it, too. pic.twitter.com/Ue9NCeQdJv
Remember that Mays/Tice statistic regarding how the Browns stack the box as a default reaction to heavy personnel? Schwartz is smart enough to know what his own tendencies are, and how it might be time to switch things up.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the first half in the game against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“Obviously a rookie, but has command that goes beyond usually the scope of a rookie,” Schwartz said this week of Stroud. “Decisive with the ball, accurate passer, buy some time time, makes big plays down the field. I think when it’s all said and done, the fact that he’s passed for as many yards as he has without turning the ball over is really impressive for a young guy. Usually the cost of doing business if you’re going to throw a lot of yards is you also turn the ball over a lot. It’s been impressive what he’s been able to do. We’re going to have to play tight coverage. We’re going to have to stay after him in the pass rush. We’re going to have to limit run after the catch because he does a good job of giving his guys opportunities to run after the catch, including Nico Collins. That’s one of the things he does best.”
Pair that with Slowik’s quote about why he aligns his passing structures against match stuff that limits YAC, and you have fodder for an amazing matchup.
In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys go deep into this fascinating matchup.
New "Xs and Os with @gregcosell: The @Browns have played more single-high coverage than any other team this season. C.J. Stroud of the @HoustonTexans has annihilated single-high coverage all season long. This one is going to be FUN. pic.twitter.com/YGy7yeavhn
C.J. Stroud has killed Cover-3 all season long, and the Colts play a ton of Cover-3. Something’s going to break on Saturday night.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been one of the NFL’s most compelling rookies in recent years, regardless of position. He’s a primary reason why the Texans, who finished the 2022 season with a 3-13-1 record, are playing Saturday night for the AFC South championship at 9-7. Stroud and his comrades will tangle with a Colts defense that is quite underrated of late.
New "Xs and Os with @gregcosell" — When the @HoustonTexans take on the @Colts for the AFC South tonight, C.J. Stroud will have to deal with a defense filled with names you may not know, but the youngsters are getting it done. Here's the scoop on Gus Bradley's Colts defense. pic.twitter.com/K7D6LJrrCg
But this Colts defense has already seen more of Stroud than they might like. In Stroud’s second regular-season game of his NFL career, he carved Gus Bradley’s defense up to the tune of 30 completions in 47 attempts for 384 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 103.5.
In the rematch, Bradley might want to switch his priors around a bit. The Colts have played the NFL’s second-highest rate of Cover-3 this season (48.8%, behind only the Carolina Panthers’ 50.0%), and Stroud has killed Cover-3 all season long. The Colts in Week 2 played Cover-3 on a league-high 22 of Stroud’s dropbacks back then, and Stroud completed 14 of 19 passes for 178 yards, 95 air yards, both of his touchdowns, and a passer rating of 137.6 against Bradley’s favorite coverage. For the season, Stroud has completed 91 of 136 passes for 1,211 yards, 798 air yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 106.6 against Cover-3.
This 23-yard touchdown to rookie receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell in Week 2 had Stroud showing off one of his best throws against zone coverage — the quick out. The Texans had a mirrored concept here with two slot verts and two outside out routes, and the structure of the routes had Dell beating cornerback Darrell Baker, who was likely expecting Dell to run something vertical, underneath. Ready, set, go.
C.J. Stroud of the @HoustonTexans has killed it against Cover-3 this season. The @Colts play the NFL's second-highest rate of Cover-3 this season, behind only the @Panthers. Based on Stroud's Week 2 game against Gus Bradley's defense, Bradley might want to switch it up. pic.twitter.com/jhSnN6RvCh
“He’s very talented,” Bradley said this week of Stroud. “First of all, he plays with great poise. He handles pressures, he handles looks, he handles different schemes very well. He gets the ball out timely. Does he hold it some? Yeah, because they take some shots, but it is timely when it is the quick game and when it’s in their intermediate passes. His accuracy is very good so – very poised, accurate, playing above the level of being a rookie. I think at this point in time, he’s not a rookie because the looks that he’s seen. He’s playing very well for them right now. I think they’re third or something in explosive passes. I know very high, I think the analytics told us so. He does a great job with the threats he has on the outside.”
In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into Stroud’s return from a concussion, how he was able to dice up the Titans’ pass defense in Week 17, and what it all means for this crucial Saturday night matchup. The Colts will be ready with some serious improving players on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s important to remember that Stroud was also sacked six times in that Week 2 game.
So here we are on the brink of fantasy championships for one person in every league. But next year should already be in your head. The changes from season to the next can be dramatic, even if we draft like the previous season is going to repeat.
Like every year, plenty of fantasy starters were left behind during the season. Here are my top six injured players and what to think about them entering next season. I have excluded quarterbacks who all appear likely to return healthy for next year. Those include Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson.
TE Mark Andrews (BAL) 2023 ADP = No. 2 TE, Pick 4.03 Suffered a cracked fibula and ankle ligament injury in Week 11 thanks to a hip-drop tackle. He is expected to be healed early enough to potentially join the Ravens in the playoffs. He is not returning for the regular season but will be assessed later for a potential return in late January. That’s great news for a tight end that’s become Top-2 when healthy.
RB Nick Chubb (CLE) 2023 ADP = No. 5 TE , Pick 1.11 The star running back suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 2. He tore his ACL , MCL, and meniscus. He needed surgery for the MCL and meniscus and a separate procedure to repair the ACL. He is expected to return “during the 2024 season.” Doctors say that he has extensive rehab to go through, but so far, the surgeries are over, and he’s progressing according to play. He was injured so early in the season, that he’ll have plenty of rehab by the opening of the 2024 NFL season. He’ll likely open the year on IR and be a high risk/high reward draft pick.
TE T.J. Hockenson (MIN)2023 ADP = No. 3 TE, Pick 4.12 He just tore his MCL and ACL last week when he was hit low by a defender. The injury is fresh enough that his prognosis and recovery are still in progress but the injury was severe enough that it’s reasonable to assume he will not be ready for the start of the 2024 season with only about eight months to heal. He’ll be another elite player who won’t show up until later in the season and present a risky pick that can win – or lose – your league.
Christian Kirk (JAC) 2023 ADP = No. 28 WR, Pick 4.09 The Jaguars wideout was lost in Week 13 when he suffered a core muscle injury in Week 13. He was placed on injured reserve and required surgery, which will keep him out even if the Jaguars made a deep run in the playoffs. Kirk’s situation becomes further complicated because he’s owed $24 million next year, but the Jags have an out they can take in the offseason. He may end up re-signing on a restructured deal or could be released.
WR Mike Williams (LAC) 2023 ADP= No. 26 WR, Pick 5.03 The Chargers wideout tore his ACL in Week 3 after rolling up 110 yards and a score on the Vikings. He was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery to repair the knee. He is expected back next season, but he, too, has his situation complicated by his contract. He’ll turn 30 next year and has been often dinged up in his seven-year career. He is due $20 million next year, but the Chargers have an out they can use in the offseason. He is another player that will either restructure his contract or be released.
WR Tank Dell (HOU) 2023 ADP = NA, Free Agent The Texan’s third-round pick was just a 5-10, 165-pound wideout who carried minimal expectations as a rookie, but he was on a pace to end with a stat line of 80-1205-12 but broke his fibula while blocking in Week 12. He underwent surgery but is expected to return sometime during the Texans’ offseason program. He should rebound 100% from the injury and merit drafting as a fantasy starter.
About Last Night…
New York Jets 20, Cleveland 37
Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
As we all know, Thursday night games are sloppy and low-scoring. Two of the best defenses were meeting and both teams were on their third quarterback of the year. So naturally, they throw down 57 total points.
Trevor Siemian passed for 261 yards and one touchdown to Breece Hall who caught nine passes for 42 yards. Garrett Wilson (5-50) and Tyler Conklin (5-45) were the top receivers. Hall rushed for 84 yards on 13 rushes but the Jets had to abandon the run when they trailed 34-17 at halftime.
Joe Flacco was without Amari Cooper, so expectations were even lower going against the No. 2 defense versus quarterbacks. And so he threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns. David Njoku (6-134) had a monster performance and Elijah Moore (5-61, TD) scored before leaving with a concussion. Jerome Ford blew up with 12 runs for 64 yards and two catches for 57 yards – both touchdowns. Kareem Hunt (10-31, TD) took the rushing score.
Both teams returned an interception for a touchdown. But this game only furthers the question – why was Joe Flacco sitting at home until Week 13?
The Houston Texans lost positioning in the NFL power rankings following their loss to the New York Jets.
The Houston Texans took it on the chin 30-6 against the New York Jets in Week 14. With such a resounding loss, one would expect the Texans to tumble in any power poll. The determining factor would be how far.
According to Jarrett Bailey from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans’ regrettable episode against the Jets didn’t hurt their reputation too bad as they dropped just one spot down to No. 10 in the latest rankings.
That was Houston’s worst loss all season, but it came on the road in bad weather and without their best receiver. They will have to adjust to life without Tank Dell.
Houston has had games without Dell before and succeeded. The Texans ran into a ferocious defense. The Jets’ offense has always been a problem; the defense has been giving opponents problems.
Across the rest of the AFC South, the Tennessee Titans finished No. 26. The Indianapolis Colts managed to place No. 17. The Jacksonville Jaguars finished ahead of the Texans at No. 9.
We look across the league to find the best waiver wire options for fantasy managers to add to their teams.
It was an exciting and interesting Week 13, where we saw some new names enter into our collective fantasy football minds. Injuries and breakout stars are going to send fantasy managers scrambling to waivers this week, and we can fill you in on who to target before waivers clear.
Texans lose standout rookie WR Tank Dell for the season with a leg injury
It was building up as an incredible breakout year for Tank Dell. The Houston rookie wide receiver had one of the best connections in the entire league with fellow rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, and the two were set to re-write the record books in the passing game.
In what will not be an incomplete season, Dell had managed to put up an explosive stat line. Houston’s third-round pick totaled 709 yards and seven touchdowns on just 47 catches. This meant that Dell was averaging a ridiculous 15.1 yards per catch, solidifying him as one of the most productive deep threats in the entire league.
#Texans WR Tank Dell, whose breakout performance this season has sparked his team’s offense, suffered a fractured fibula, source said. He’s headed for IR, as Houston loses one of its stars. pic.twitter.com/vATNSwRbAi
What becomes even more frustrating for Houston fans is the fact that Dell was clearly developing his game the further the season went along, becoming more diverse as a route runner and more explosive as a playmaker. Fellow receivers Nico Collins and Robert Woods will have to pick up the production left behind by the deep threat. The Texans will have to wait until the 2024 season to get the full experience of the connection between Dell and Stroud, and it is sure to be a good one for a long time to come.
Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.
SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks
Pass-Rush
TD
Geno Smith
334-6
4
Brock Purdy
314-9
4
Dak Prescott
299-23
3
Jalen Hurts
298-20
2
Matthew Stafford
279-(-2)
3
Running Backs
Rush
Receive
TD
Alvin Kamara
14-51
6-58
2
De’Von Achane
17-73
3-30
2
Derrick Henry
21-102
1-18
2
James Conner
25-105
2
Chuba Hubbard
2-104
2
Wide Receivers
Yards
TD
DK Metcalf
6-134
3
Deebo Samuel
3-22
4-116
3
Nico Collins
9-191
1
CeeDee Lamb
2-30
12-116
1
Tyreek Hill
5-157
2
Tight Ends
Yards
TD
Sam LaPorta
9-140
1
Trey McBride
8-89
1
Jake Ferguson
6-77
1
Harrison Bryant
5-49
1
Taysom Hill
13-59
2-15
1
Placekickers
XP
FG
Brandon Aubrey
3
4
Matt Gay
1
4
Lucas Havrisik
4
2
Jason Sanders
6
1
Matt Ammendola
1
3
Defense
Sack – TO
TD
Chargers
5-1
0
Colts
6-2
1
Dolphins
3-1
1
Falcons
4-3
0
Texans
3-3
0
Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts
QB Kenny Pickett – Ankle
QB Derek Carr – Concussion “plus”
WR Tank Dell – Fractured fibula
WR Marquise Brown – Heel
WR Amari Cooper – Head
WR Christian Watson – Hamstring
RB Derrick Henry – Head
RB Emari Demarco – neck
RB Rhamondre Stevenson – Ankle
RB Brian Robinson – Hamstring
TE Tyler Higbee – Concussion
Chasing Ambulances
QB Kenny Pickett – He injured his right ankle that will need a surgical procedure to fix. He is expected to miss at least a few weeks and Mitch Trubisky will replace him for this Thursday’s game against the Patriots.
QB Derek Carr – For the third time this year, Carr left the game injured. This time he was blasted when he threw the ball and suffered a concussion while also injuring his shoulder and back. The Lions Bruce Irvin was penalized for roughing the passer and Carr was carted from the field. Carr just had a concussion three weeks ago, so this a serious situation. Jameis Winston will take over until Carr returns.
WR Tank Dell – The Texans phenom fractured his fibula and will miss the rest of the season. It is a sad ending for a season that has been so bright but he should return in 2024 with no lasting problems. Noah Brown just returned after missing two games with a calf injury and should be the replacement. Brown posted two 150-yard performances in Weeks 9 and 10, so he’s already seen success in the offense. He’ll need to step up into a starting role.
WR Marquise Brown – He was already questionable heading into the game with a heel injury, and reaggravated it during the win over the Steelers. If he cannot go when they return from their Week 13 bye, Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch would share the workload.
WR Amari Cooper – He was already battling a rib injury heading into the game and was crushed by two defenders while trying to catch a pass. He is reported to have a concussion. He was already meshing well with Joe Flacco when he was hurt. There is no true replacement for Cooper who is clearly the best receiver on the team. Elijah Moore would see an uptick if Cooper remains out and he led the team with four catches for 83 yards.
WR Christian Watson – He had already scored twice on the Chiefs, but at the end of the game he went down clutching at his leg with an apparent hamstring injury. He missed three games to start the season with a hamstring issue as well, so another one is concerning. Dontayvion Wicks would become a starter if Watson remains out, but his production would be replaced by Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
RB Derrick Henry – Suffered a head injury expected to be a concussion. Henry has been very durable considering his career workload but hasn’t missed time with a concussion. Tyjae Spears will replace him in Miami this week if he remains out.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson – The Pats’ running back suffered an ankle injury and while his X-rays were negative, the early speculation is that he may miss multiple games. An MRI will determine the severity of the sprain but it’s highly unlikely that Stevenson plays on Thursday night at the Steelers. Ezekiel Elliott entered Week 13 with a thigh injury but was active and stepped up once Stevenson left near the end of the first quarter. Elliott handled 17 carries for 52 yards and caught a team-high four passes for 40 yards.
RB Brian Robinson – The Commanders’ back was running well against the Dolphins, gaining 53 yards on seven attempts but injured his hamstring and did not return. There was no immediate speculation as to the severity of the injury or if he would miss any games. Antonio Gibson would see the bigger boost in carries and catches, and Chris Rodriguez would also bump up to being the No. 2 back if Robinson misses any time, but the Commanders enter their bye and that gives Robinson more time to heal.
Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables
Where did all the passes go? – It’s that time of the season when passing starts to decline. There were six teams on bye this week, but it is still notable that there were only two passers that topped 300 yards – Geno Smith (334 yards) and Brock Purdy (314 yards). Bet you didn’t see that coming.
RB De’Von Achane – We can’t be certain how long he will stay healthy, but he’s back to form at least for now. After taking last week off and flopping in Week 11, Achane ran for 73 yards on 17 carries and caught three passes for 30 yards, while scoring twice. His 20 touches topped the 12 given to Raheem Mostert.
RB Austin Ekeler – The stud of 2022 just hasn’t been nearly as effective this year. He just ran for 18 yards on 14 carries and caught just two passes for nine yards. He was on the road, but the Patriots run defense has declined to being only average – until this week.
RB Ezekiel Elliott – The injury to Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to last at least a week or two. The ex-Cowboy star gets a chance to handle a workhorse load until Stevenson returns. Three of their next four games are on the road which is not ideal, nor is scoring zero points at home this week. But Elliott can help an RB-hungry fantasy team reach the playoffs.
TE Kyle Pitts – He led the Falcons in Week 13 with eight targets for four catches and 51 yards. That was versus the Jets defense. The Falcons host the Buccaneers this week for a violent shift in the quality of the secondary. He had a minor boost from the Jets taking Drake London (1-8) out of the game, but it is good to see his name atop the box core for once.
RB Tyjae Spears – Derrick Henry consumed 21 rushes for 102 yards and two scores before leaving with a head injury in the loss to the Colts. But Tyjae Spears also turned in 16 carries for 75 yards (4.7 YPC) and caught four passes for 13 yards. He ran well enough that the Titans may not be in a hurry to replace Derrick Henry next season.
WR Jonathan Mingo – The Panthers second-round rookie is picking up steam as the offense appears to intentionally involving him more while relying less on Adam Thielen. This season was over long ago and working on next year by throwing more to the younger players makes sense. Thielen is sighed through 2025 and the Panthers cannot get out of that until after next year, so Thielen still needs to be involved.
QB Joe Flacco – Compared to Dorian Thompson-Robinson or P.J. Walker, the aged Flacco looked sharp passing for 254 yards and two scores in the loss to the Rams. Amari Cooper was lost in the game, and Elijah Moore ended with 12 targets that became four catches for 83 yards to lead the Browns. Flacco needs Cooper to be healthy, but he gets a lighter time for the next two weeks at home against the Jaguars and Bears.
QB Patrick Mahomes – He’s ranked as the No. 14 fantasy quarterback and hasn’t missed any games. Eight of his last nine games did not record more than two passing scores and no games this year had him rushing in a touchdown. Over the last five games, he’s averaged 222 passing yards and 1.4 touchdowns which is pretty much the definition of an average NFL quarterback. What I’m trying to figure out is if we can say that he is a… you know,,, “average quarterback”? Can we even say that aloud? Is that even legal? I’m asking for a friend.
Huddle player of the week
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Deebo Samuel – You’d think visitors would be less aggressive in the City of Brotherly Love, but not so for Samuel. The 49ers Swiss Army knife caught four passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns at the Eagles, and ran for 22 yards and another score on three carries. Oh yeah, he also gained 60 yards on his two kick returns. He may have several blades, but each one can cut you.
Salute!
Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry
Here are some of the best tweets from the Houston Texans’ 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos.
The Houston Texans are young and learning how to win close ballgames, which will no doubt help to reinforce the culture with new coach DeMeco Ryans.
Take Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Houston safety Jimmie Ward picked off quarterback Russell Wilson on a third-and-goal from the 8-yard line to seal the deal 22-17. In a pivotal matchup of two 6-5 teams vying for AFC wild-card positioning, Houston’s youngsters came away with victory rather than Denver’s cavalcade of experienced veterans, and coaching to boot.
As usual Twitter was full of takes and comments regarding the action. Here are some of the best remarks.
