Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (quad) returned to practice on Sunday following a multi-week absence, according to a video from Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason, Mixon now appears to be 100 percent and on track to lead the Houston backfield when the NFL season kicks off in a few weeks. Dameon Pierce may push to earn some touches in 2024, but Mixon, who tallied 1,410 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns last year, is their lead back and should be valued accordingly. He's a fringe top-12 running back in redraft fantasy football leagues.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was not on the field during the team's two-receiver sets, with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs handling those roles. Most teams maintain a consistent pair of receivers for these formations, but the Texans rotated their wideouts frequently last season. While Dell may not see as much action in two-receiver sets compared to Collins and Diggs, his impact remains strong. This didn't impact Dell significantly, as he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Dell's fantasy value might take a slight hit due to his limited role in two-receiver sets, the Texans are likely to use three-receiver formations frequently, which should provide ample opportunities for him.

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 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.