Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The wideout was on a roll before going down with a hamstring injury, catching two passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. There should be an update on his status soon. But in the meantime, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell will remain the top receiving options for C.J. Stroud.

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is officially inactive for Week 5 against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday, while wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) is active. Pierce has been making progress with his hamstring injury in recent weeks, but he will now miss his fourth straight game after being injured in the Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. With Joe Mixon (ankle) having already been ruled out, the Texans will once again roll with Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale in their backfield this weekend against a beat up Buffalo defense. Akers hasn't exactly impressed anyone the last two weeks with Mixon and Pierce out, but just from a volume standpoint alone, he's in play as an RB3/flex in Week 5. Woods shouldn't be on the radar for a starting fantasy spot on Sunday, especially with Tank Dell (chest) returning from a one-game absence. Woods has only three catches for 28 yards so far this year.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) isn't expected to suit up on Sunday versus the Bills. The 24-year-old is coming along, considering he practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. However, since he had only three carries for 16 yards in Week 1 versus the Colts, the last time he was on the field, there aren't many fantasy managers looking for an update, even with Joe Mixon (ankle) ruled out. In the meantime, the Texans will continue to roll with Cam Akers to handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield. While Akers hasn't done much with his enhanced role in Houston, he deserves some consideration for fantasy lineups due to the favorable matchup on the horizon versus a Bills defense that's struggled to stop the run this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk will look to continue his upward fantasy trajectory in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. After a rough first two weeks, Kirk has turned things around, and now serves as a reliable starting fantasy receiver, especially in PPR leagues. The former Arizona Cardinal isn't much of a threat in the red-zone or on deep bombs, but he is good at getting open quickly and serves as a great security blanket for Trevor Lawrence. It makes a lot of sense that the offense has looked better since Kirk started producing again. The Colts serve as a great matchup for the Jaguars passing offense, boosting Kirk's value this week. Evan Engram potentially is returning from injury which should cut into the receiver's target share, but not enough to take him out of fantasy starting lineups anytime soon. Kirk serves as a great WR2/flex play with an extra boost in PPR leagues in Week 5.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (chest) missed the Week 4 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars due to a chest injury but will play in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans removed Dell from the final injury report on Friday after he upgraded to a full participant in practice. It's good news for a Houston offense that will be without starting running back Joe Mixon (ankle) for the third straight week. Dell impressed in his rookie season in 2023 with 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 47 catches in just 11 games, but so far in his sophomore campaign he's been playing third fiddle behind teammates Nico Collins and newcomer Stefon Diggs. There's no denying Dell's big-play abilities, but there is another big mouth to feed this year in Diggs. Dell has nine catches on 17 targets for 99 scoreless yards through three games and will be more of a boom/bust WR4/flex in his return against the Bills.