Regardless of main the AFC South, the Houston Texans have been on shaky floor with their offense to this point this season. The bottom will get even shakier now, as NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport stories that huge receiver Stefon Diggs tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.
It is a huge blow to the Texans’ offense, who got here into the season with excessive expectations however have fallen quick in lots of areas. They’re nineteenth in EPA per play, and regardless of excessive stage play from QB CJ Stroud, the whole lot else across the sign caller has turn out to be kinda bizarre. The Texans can’t run the ball, their cross safety may be worse, and the receiving core has taken a large hit with Diggs out. That is on prime of dropping celebrity WR Nico Collins to a hamstring damage that’s had him on IR, with no timetable for his return.
What this implies for Houston is that the opposite receivers down the depth chart should step up. WR Tank Dell is a enjoyable piece to have within the offense, however now he must step up and be the primary receiver whereas Collins returns to type. This might additionally imply extra reps for receivers Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods. Woods is a dependable receiver and an excellent blocker for the place, however Hutchinson might assist elevate that offense with out Diggs. Nevertheless, the Texans are third within the NFL in share of snaps with two tight ends on the sector, so this might result in extra of TE’s Cade Stover and Dalton Schultz within the passing recreation.
Houston’s schedule doesn’t get any simpler after this, both. After a Halloween evening tilt with the Jets, they face the Lions, Chiefs and Ravens to spherical out the season. the margin for error will get a lot thinner because the street to the playoffs will get a bit extra crowded. They’ve constructed themselves a reasonably good lead within the division, particularly with the Jaguars and Colts having no concept what they’re doing and the Titans actively tanking.
Nevertheless, this damage goes to play an enormous position of their shot at going past the divisional spherical.
