Christian

Kirk

Collins was unable to practice throughout the week. Texans slot WR Christian Kirk operated as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver last week, and is likely the best bet to do so again against the Patriots. It is an unfortunate development for Collins, who also missed his team’s Week 8 game against the 49ers due to concussion. Texans rookie WRs, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, have a chance to rise to the occasion.

The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander believes Collins is “a long shot” to play on Sunday against the Patriots, given “the steps he must clear.” Unfortunately, he might be right. Collins still has time to advance through the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol, but another absence at tomorrow’s practice would be discouraging. Veteran slot WR Christian Kirk stepped up last week, catching 8-of-9 targets for 144 yards and one touchdown in the Texans’ Wild Card win over the Steelers. We expect him to operate as the team’s top target earner if Collins cannot play.

Kirk served as quarterback C.J. Stroud’s primary option throughout as alpha wide receiver Nico Collins drew lockdown shadow coverage from standout corner Joey Porter Jr. That role only grew in the fourth quarter following Collins’ departure due to a concussion, an ailment that has a good chance of keeping him sidelined through the team’s Divisional Round matchup against the Patriots next weekend. Jayden Higgins will likely step into the primary perimeter role in the absence of Collins after catching 3-of-4 targets for 39 yards against the Steelers, while Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel split WR3 duties.

Noel managed just 11 offensive snaps, but still outgained Christian Kirk (39 snaps, minus-3 yards on two targets) in the box score. We don’t get it, and we haven’t all season. The Texans look happy with him as a kick returner but Noel has made no real in-roads to a starting job in the 2025 season.

Kirk, questionable with an illness on Friday, not only played, but had his highest snap count (39) since Week 9 and highest target count since Week 12. Did the listing remind the Texans that he was on the roster? We don’t get it — and while he had one nice slant over the middle here, there was nothing that otherwise said Kirk needed to be a featured target. They don’t let us control target counts though, as much as we ask. Kirk will be a weak WR5 play against the Chargers in Week 17.

Players tend to play through illnesses, but Kirk was a late addition ot the injury report. The team added him on Friday and listed him as a DNP, putting him at some risk of missing today’s game. Per Schefter, he is good to go. Kirk has scored double-digit fantasy points just once this year. He is not on the fantasy radar for Week 16.

He played 42-of-76 snaps, well ahead of Christian Kirk (37) and Jaylin Noel (18) for Houston WR3 duties. Hutchinson isn’t providing any fantasy value outside of super deep leagues. He hasn’t scored since Week 8 and hasn’t cracked 70 yards all season.

Week 12 marked one of the more productive days for Kirk, whose two-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave the Texans their first lead of the day. The veteran receiver later hauled in a 33-yard reception in the in the same quarter to help set Jayden Higgins up for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Texans the lead entering the half. It’s only the second time this season that Kirk has topped 26 receiving yards, and his five receptions were a new season high. Despite the decent showing, fantasy managers shouldn’t be rushing to start him in Week 13 against the Colts.

Berrios’ inactivity interestingly reduces the Texans’ slot receiver rotation to a two-player committee, including Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel. Berrios was listed with a quad injury this week but practiced in full. Lane is worth stashing at this time. Stroud will now miss his third straight game since suffering a brain injury in Week 9 against the Broncos. He managed one limited session on Tuesday.

Hutchinson continues to outsnap Christian Kirk (36 snaps, 1/6 receiving) and Jaylin Noel (18 snaps, 1/12 receiving) as an ancillary option behind Jayden Higgins and Nico Collins. He’s a touchdown-or-bust WR5/WR6 at this point.