Cade

Stover

Stover bent his knee backward while trying to reel in an off-target pass during the Texans’ Divisional Round loss to New England. He immediately clutched his knee and did not return after leaving the game. It looked like a catastrophic injury in real time. Fortunately, Caserio said he avoided a serious injury. Stover should be able to get in a normal offseason routine, barring any setbacks. The second-year tight end only appeared in nine games this season. He caught 12 passes for 76 yards. He also took on tush push duties for Houston, running four times for three yards and a pair of first downs in the regular season.

Stover, who is the Texans’ primary “tush push” specialist, also added two rushes for six yards. He made some big plays in that department, but appeared to tear up his knee adjusting to an inaccurate fourth quarter C.J. Stroud attempt. It’s a brutal blow for the second-year fourth-rounder, as Dalton Schultz is heading into the final year of his contract, one with no guaranteed money. Now looking at an extended stay on the shelf after being limited to nine games in 2025 by a foot injury, Stover is a 26-year-old (in June) with 27 catches across 24 career games.

Of note: Hutchinson’s snap share fell dramatically as the Texans never trailed, he played just 20-of-67 snaps. You probably weren’t relying on him unless you were in a very deep league, but Cade Stover played 41 snaps and the Texans played big lineups with the lead.

He was questionable but will return from injured reserve today. It’s possible he eats into Dalton Schultz’s snap share a bit. Inactive for the Texans are: DB Jalen Pitre (concussion), QB C.J. Stroud (concussion), K Ka’imi Fairbairn (quad), G Ed Ingram (knee), WR Braxton Berrios, RB Dameon Pierce, and OT Jarrett Kingston.

Schultz was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday, but it is clear the Texans trust him enough to manage him in practices. He’ll be a low-end TE1 against the Titans this week. Elsewhere in Texans TE land, Cade Stover (foot) is questionable in his first week of practices since opening his 21-day window, but with Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder) officially out, Stover seems to be likely to suit up.

Two weeks ago, Schultz sat out during Wednesday and Thursday’s practices before practicing in full on Friday and suiting up on Sunday. The 29-year-old tight end is clearly banged up, but he knows the offense and can play on game day without participating much during the practice week. Schultz’s target share could take a hit if second-year tight end Cade Stover (foot) returns from injured reserve this week, though. Stover was limited on Wednesday and Thursday. An illness was addition to Schultz’s injury listing on Thursday.

Stover was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot fracture in Week 1. Before the injury, he caught 4-of-4 targets for 22 yards. The second-year tight end intrigued as a rookie, though he will likely be stuck behind veteran TE Dalton Schultz in the short term, if not the rest of the season.

This move was expected after it was reported on Monday that Stover suffered a broken foot in Week 1. Harrison Bryant was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move. Stover’s injury should lock in Dalton Schultz for a full-time role, keeping him in the TE2 mix for Week 2.

The Texans will turn to Harrison Bryant as their TE2. Stover was surprisingly involved in Week 1, being targeted four times. The second-year tight end might be looking at a second-straight year of the injured reserve list.

He’s up to speed in a hurry. Schultz was actually outsnapped by Cade Stover (4/22 on four targets) 36 to 34. Neither player is worth a TE1 dart throw at this point.