Nico Collins is out again, thrusting Dalton Schultz into an elite fantasy role while C.J. Stroud and the Houston backfield face added uncertainty
The Houston Texans enter Sunday's divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with a lengthy injury report that carries major fantasy implications. Houston officially ruled out five players Friday, headlined by star wide receiver Nico Collins, who will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury.
Collins did not practice all week, a clear sign Houston was never optimistic about his availability. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker Jake Hummel and guard Ed Ingram were also ruled out, while tackle Trent Brown is questionable with a knee and wrist issue after progressing from a full absence Wednesday to a full practice Friday.
Houston #Texans Friday Injury Report & Game Status Report for Week 3 at the Indianapolis Colts: pic.twitter.com/Hl9Ib4ZnWh
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 25, 2026
Dalton Schultz is the biggest fantasy beneficiary
Collins' continued absence is the headline. With Houston's top receiver sidelined again, tight end Dalton Schultz has emerged as C.J. Stroud's go-to target. Schultz caught 12 of 14 targets for 140 yards in Week 2's loss to Cincinnati, matching Collins' typical target volume from earlier in the season.
Multiple outlets now rank Schultz as a top-five tight end for Week 3. His 28% target share without Collins gives him a legitimate starting floor, not just streamer status.
Behind Schultz, the picture is murkier. Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte are expected to work as Houston's outside receivers, with Jaylin Noel in the slot. Analysts view Hutchinson as the safer flex option given his established target share, while Boutte and Noel remain fringe deep-league plays.
C.J. Stroud drops to streamer territory
Stroud's outlook takes a real hit without Collins for a second straight week. He is ranked outside the top-15 quarterbacks in Week 3, making only a low-end starter in deeper formats.
Through two games, Stroud has thrown for 627 yards but only two touchdowns, reflecting fewer explosive plays without his top weapon. Managers with stronger alternatives should bench Stroud in one-quarterback leagues, while those needing a streamer can justify starting him given his rushing floor and Schultz's role.
Backfield split favors Woody Marks
Houston's backfield adds another layer. Woody Marks and David Montgomery have split work relatively evenly, but Marks saw a larger workload in Week 2, posting a 45.5% snap share and out-touching Montgomery.
With Collins out again, Houston could lean more on the ground game, and several analysts list Marks as a viable flex against a Colts defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs.
Montgomery remains involved in the red-zone rotation and should not be dropped, but Marks offers the better week-to-week outlook given his role in the passing game. Neither is a must-start RB1, but Marks is preferred in shallower formats.
Offensive line questions add risk
Ingram's absence and Brown's questionable status add line uncertainty. If Brown cannot play, backup Blake Fisher would step in at tackle, a downgrade that could affect Stroud's time in the pocket and his production.
Fantasy managers should treat Houston's passing attack cautiously this week. Schultz stands out as a confident start, Hutchinson is a reasonable flex, and Marks offers streaming value at running back.
Stroud, Boutte and Noel carry considerably more risk until Collins returns to the lineup, and there is no clear timetable yet for that return given the recurring nature of the hamstring issue. Until Houston provides more clarity, fantasy managers should build their Week 3 lineups around Schultz's expanded role rather than betting on a full recovery from Houston's top perimeter weapon.