Robert

Woods

Woods was ruled out on Friday with a foot injury, which should put Xavier Hutchinson into a clear role against New England behind Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Houston’s secondary is banged up with Ward and Lassiter out with injuries. D’Angelo Ross and Eric Murray should start. Broeker and Weaver are healthy scratches.

The Texans also lost No. 1 WR Nico Collins (hamstring) to injured reserve this week. Woods’ absence solidifies Xavier Hutchinson’s role as the No. 3 wide receiver, at least in the short term. Hutchinson is more of a deep-league and DFS flex option than a 12-team starter.

Woods has yet to practice this week and is trending toward missing the Texans’ Week 6 game against the Patriots. The veteran receiver has caught three passes for 28 yards this season and wouldn’t have any fantasy upside if active.

Woods had a chance to compete for the No. 3 role with No. 1 WR Nico Collins (hamstring) now on injured reserve. Beginning the week with a DNP is not ideal though. Fellow backup WR Xavier Hutchinson appears to have the inside track for the fill-in starter role at this time.

With Noah Brown joining Tank Dell on the shelf, the Texans needed more from Woods as they looked to extend their season, but the 31-year-old veteran seems to have nothing left in his legs. He cleared 50 yards only three times all season, and only one time after Week 2. Aka, after the Texans got rookie Dell cooking. Although Woods is guaranteed $1.5 million for 2024, he has zero shot of the Texans picking up his entire $6.25 million check. Despite C.J. Stroud’s ascendancy, Woods can be safely left on waiver wires in Dynasty leagues.

With Noah Brown landing on injured reserve, Woods could see an uptick on last week’s 36 percent snap share, but the veteran slot man doesn’t seem to be too healthy himself. He’s become a shaky small-slate DFS option because of his limited usage.

Woods played through the hip issue last week and has been limited in both of Houston’s practices this week. The Texans used him sparingly in the Wild Card game against the Browns. He ran a route on just 36 percent of the team’s dropbacks while splitting the WR3 reps with Zavier Hutchinson. Woods could see an uptick in routes in the Divisional Round, but he will be a no-floor play for DFS purposes until we see that happen.

Woods sat out Week 18, but like Noah Brown, he appears likely to return after missing only one game with his latest injury. Woods did not have an effective campaign, but the Texans need all the help they can get at wideout as they try to upset the Browns without Tank Dell. Woods could do some poor man’s slot machining in DFS.

This is the second straight missed practice for Brown, who hasn’t played since Week 17. He had previously missed multiple weeks with a knee injury, so it’s been hard for him to stay on the field this season. With Tank Dell out for the season, the Texans are relying on Brown to start alongside Nico Collins during the playoffs, but he’ll need to get onto the field soon. The good news for Houston is that Robert Woods was able to return to practice on Wednesday, which makes it seem more likely he’ll be able to suit up on Saturday.

Brown has been dealing with back, hip, and knee injuries this season, with the back being the latest issue keeping Brown out of Week 18. He starts the week off not practicing, meaning Nico Collins is once again in line to dominate targets. Robert Woods (hip) also did not practice, and both receivers will need to return to practice later in the week to have a chance to play in the Wild Card against the Browns on Saturday.