James

Casey

He also rushed once for 11 yards. Casey was a bigger part of the Texans’ game plan than he’s ever been, being used as a rusher out of the backfield, wide receiver, and tight end. Casey has a knack for getting open and is an excellent athlete, so it’s not crazy to think that he’ll have more big games in the future. He’s someone to add off the waiver wire, or at least keep a close eye on going forward. Particularly for owners strapped at tight end.

It’s much better than the pectoral tear reported by the Houston Chronicle Sunday night. Casey may have a chance to play in Week 6 at Baltimore. Throw out his 137-total yard Week 3, and Casey has just four catches for 37 yards this year.

Usually a blocker, Dreessen got more involved in the passing game with the Texans playing from behind and Andre Johnson (hamstring) inactive. It was Dreessen -- not James Casey -- who stepped up as Houston’s No. 2 tight end. Casey didn’t have a catch. For all we know, it could be Casey in the same role next week against Baltimore. It’s a situation to avoid in fantasy. Sunday’s yardage total was a career high for the 29-year-old Dreessen.

"(Mario Williams) and Casey both have a pec problem,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’ll evaluate it here this evening and find out (the severity).” Casey finished without a catch against the Raiders and is no longer on the fantasy radar.

The Texans are hoping that both players will avoid surgery. MRIs will determine the severity. If surgery is needed, the player(s) will have to go on injured reserve. The Texans can replace Casey with offseason addition Lawrence Vickers, but finding someone capable of generating pressure like Williams will be impossible. They’ll need Connor Barwin and rookie Brooks Reed to step up.

A bad sign for a player coming off two straight inactives. He’ll need to at least be limited on Thursday to have any realistic chance of suiting up this week. With Andre Johnson also sidelined, Casey is missing out on a golden opportunity to solidify himself as a legitimate fantasy option.

Casey saw the majority of his playing time in the backfield last season. He’s now moving away from tight end altogether. Once a highly regarded multi-skilled Dynasty league prospect, Casey is no longer worthy of a roster spot even in deeper leagues.

Houston’s free-agent exodus continues unabated. A fine all-around tight end, Dreessen has received high marks from Pro Football Focus for receiving and blocking the past couple of years. He’s also proven capable of high-end TE2 fantasy numbers while filling in for Owen Daniels. His 2012 value depends on whether the Broncos add Dallas Clark or Jacob Tamme to the mix. Garrett Graham ascends to the No. 2 role in Houston unless a fullback is signed to free up James Casey. Second-year TE Julius Thomas may need to stay in the incubator for another year in Denver.

“He’s going to play everywhere,” Kubiak said. “He’s our starting fullback today; he’s our starting Tiger today if we go to two tights. ... It’s still about versatility with James, so that really hasn’t changed.” Casey managed just 18 receptions in a similar role last season. He figures to experience a slight production bump with Joel Dreessen gone, but not enough for fantasy start-ability.

Respected Texans’ beat writer John McClain had previously said Casey was set to “inherit” the Texans’ starting fullback job after they let Lawrence Vickers depart in free agency, but he’s apparently back in the mix at tight end. Even if that is the case, however, Houston still has Garrett Graham behind Owen Daniels, and the vast majority of Casey’s snaps should come at fullback. He’s no longer a dynasty-league consideration at tight end.