Cade Stover Injury History & Analysis

The Texans fired OC Bobby Slowik, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's a big fall for Slowik, who was mentioned as a potential HC candidate just a year ago. He helped QB C.J. Stroud to an impressive 2023 rookie season, with Houston finishing 12th in total yards and 13th in points. But Stroud and the Texans offense took a step back this past year, ranking 22nd in yards and 19th in points. Slowik took some heat for a high early-down run rate, but the Texans finished 10th in neutral pass rate and fifth in pass rate over expected. To our eyes, the biggest issue in Houston was an offensive line that ranked 31st in ESPN's run block win rate and 22nd in pass block win rate. We'll see what the Texans do to bolster that unit this offseason -- and who they tab to replace Slowik.

Texans TE Cade Stover needs surgery for a shoulder injury he suffered in the Wild Card win over the Chargers, HC Demeco Ryans said Tuesday. Stover has been operating as Houston's No. 2 TE for most of the season, catching 15 of 22 targets for 133 yards and a score across 15 regular-season games. He caught all four of his targets for 28 yards in the playoff opener. We'll look for more details on Stover's injury and see when he's able to get back on the field. But with TE Dalton Schultz likely back in Houston for 2025, Stover is unlikely to be a fantasy factor.

Texans WR John Metchie (shoulder) and TE Cade Stover (illness) are out for Saturday's game vs. the Chiefs. Neither should have been in your fantasy plans, but their absences make TE Dalton Schultz a slightly more interesting Week 16 spot starter. He registered a season-high 91% route rate with Stover out last week. The Chiefs rank 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs.

Texans TE Cade Stover is out for today's game against the Dolphins after undergoing an emergency appendectomy last night, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stover has been running a route on about 30% of pass plays lately, averaging 2.2 targets over his last five games. His absence is a slight boost for TE Dalton Schultz.

Texans TE Dalton Schultz (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. There was no injury reported on him during or after the Week 1 win over the Colts, but his status now bears monitoring over the next couple of days. If Schultz can't play vs. the Bears on Sunday night, Houston would be down to TEs Brevin Jordan and Cade Stover. Neither would be a recommended fantasy play.