Xavier

Hutchinson

It’s a devastating blow for the second-year pro and the Houston offense. Higgins was set to be the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Nico Collins this season after posting 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie operating mostly as a downfield threat. Higgins’ absence in the Texans offense leaves the team without much depth at the position. Expect Xavier Hutchinson to take on a much more prominent role in the balanced Houston offense while Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel see a bump in snaps and routes. It’s hard to say any Texans receiver not named Nico will have much in the way of fantasy value in 2026.

NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson noted earlier today that Noel was not participating in practice due to a finger injury, which he suffered in July, and a recent hamstring injury. It turns out Noel’s recent hamstring injury is actually a re-injury. Fellow second-year WR Jayden Higgins has the inside track to the WR2 role. Noel was set to compete with Xavier Hutchinson and WR Tank Dell for the WR3 gig. Instead, he is losing valuable preseason reps. Noel might be best viewed as an early-season waiver wire add.

The Texans placed Noel on the NFI list at the start of camp. He is unable to practice until the team activates him. For a second-year player who struggled to earn playing time as a rookie, this is far from ideal. Tank Dell isn’t fully participating in practice yet, meaning Xavier Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins will see plenty of reps with the first-team offense to start camp.

With the Texans in skill corps injury crisis as C.J. Stroud imploded vs. Mike Vrabel’s defense, Hutchinson somehow commanded 10-plus targets for the first time in his three-year corps. Bizarre, and not a harbinger of things to come. Although Christian Kirk is headed to free agency, Nico Collins isn’t going anywhere, while rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both intrigued in 2025. Hutchinson will probably make the 53-man roster in the final year of his rookie deal, but that’s not locked in. He has 55 catches over 49 career contests. Admittedly, 35 of those came in 2025. This coaching staff probably likes Hutchinson enough to keep him around one more year.

Hutchinson had a nice catch on Houston’s final drive to set up their go-ahead field goal, and played 54 snaps to Jayden Higgins’ 55 as both receivers were involved late in the game. It was Hutchinson’s first game over six targets all season. We don’t expect another.

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 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.

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.

Higgins had 43 snaps to Xavier Hutchinson’s 40, but out-targeted Hutchinson 7-0 and was the clear third option in Houston’s passing game. As with Jaylin Noel, until the Texans actually commit to every-down receiver play for Higgins, he’ll have a low floor. But he has scored three touchdowns in his last six games and is squarely on the WR5 radar even without making a true move to ice Hutchinson out.

He played 46 snaps to Jayden Higgins’ 35 and out-targeted him five to one. We’re not sure when the moment of realization will hit in Houston that Hutchinson and Christian Kirk are nice veteran presences that can’t get open. It doesn’t seem like it’ll be any time soon. Hutchinson has been over 30 yards once all season and is a desperation FLEX in Week 10.