Houston Texans

Houston Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover led all tight ends in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with three catches for 32 yards. His performance featured a crucial 16-yard reception that helped secure a key first down and contributed to a Texans touchdown. Notably, Stover caught C.J. Stroud's first pass of the game, demonstrating Stroud's confidence in him despite Stover not being the primary read. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio have praised Stover highly, suggesting that although Dalton Schultz is the top tight end, Stover could have a significant role early in the season. This development makes Schultz a less appealing late-round fantasy option and positions Stover as a potentially valuable pickup if Schultz misses any time.

Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods led the team with four catches for 42 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, he drew a defensive pass interference call, underscoring his impact on the game. With Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Noah Brown seemingly securing their roster spots, the competition for the remaining two spots is intense. Despite strong practice performances, former second-round pick John Metchie III has been underwhelming in games, with just two catches for 11 yards and a drop over two preseason games. Xavier Hutchinson, who caught five passes for 56 yards last week, had a quieter outing on Friday but added 19 rushing yards. Ben Skowronek, acquired from the Rams, brings versatility and blocking prowess but failed to catch any passes on Friday. Though the most expensive option, Woods is valued for his blocking and veteran presence, which could be crucial in determining the final roster spots.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (fibula) caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The score followed Dell's impressive 22-yard punt return, which was extended by a late hit penalty on Pittsburgh. On the ensuing drive, Stroud connected with Dell on a perfectly executed pass to the left side, where Dell evaded several defenders to reach the end zone. Dell, who saw his season cut short last year by a broken fibula and faced further challenges this offseason after being shot in Florida, demonstrated that he has fully recovered. Despite the presence of top receivers Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Dell himself, there was no clear indication of how targets will be allocated among them. Fantasy managers were eager to assess Dell's health, and he delivered a strong performance.

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce started the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but struggled to make an impact, managing just four carries for four yards. The team averaged only 3.1 yards per carry against primarily the Steelers' second-team defense. Receiver Xavier Hutchinson, known for his running skills, recorded the longest carry of the night with a 19-yard run. Without that carry, Houston would have accumulated just 61 rushing yards. Dare Ogunbowale added a touchdown following a muffed punt recovery in the second quarter, but it was his only significant play. Rookie Jawhar Jordan showed improvement from the Hall of Fame game, leading the Texans with 22 rushing yards. Cam Akers made a notable impact in the second half, with nine touches for 41 yards, displaying the burst that has generated preseason excitement. With vital offensive linemen Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, and Shaq Mason sidelined the expectations for the running game were lower. Assessing the run game's potential without starter Joe Mixon in the lineup remains challenging.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with receiver Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown reception midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroud finished the night 2-for-4 with 41 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play showcased the explosive passing Texans fans grew accustomed to seeing from him during his rookie season. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He led the Texans to an AFC South championship and secured a victory over Cleveland in the wild-card round. It will be hard for Stroud to live up to the unbelievable hype building this offseason, but he and Tank Dell already seem up to the task.