Regardless of main the AFC South, the Houston Texans have been on shaky floor with their offense thus far this season. The bottom will get even shakier now, as NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reviews 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 brief in lots of areas. They’re nineteenth in EPA per play, and regardless of excessive stage play from QB CJ Stroud, every little thing else across the sign caller has turn out to be kinda bizarre. The Texans can’t run the ball, their move safety may be worse, and the receiving core has taken a large hit with Diggs out. That is on high of shedding famous person WR Nico Collins to a hamstring harm 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 kind. This might additionally imply extra reps for receivers Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods. Woods is a dependable receiver and a very good blocker for the place, however Hutchinson might assist elevate that offense with out Diggs. Nonetheless, the Texans are third within the NFL in proportion of snaps with two tight ends on the sphere, 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 highway to the playoffs will get a little bit extra crowded. They’ve constructed themselves a fairly good lead within the division, particularly with the Jaguars and Colts having no concept what they’re doing and the Titans actively tanking.
Nonetheless, this harm goes to play a giant position of their shot at going past the divisional spherical.