The Houston Texans have angered the wide receiver injury gods, as Nico Collins was lost earlier in the season and Stefon Diggs suffered an injury in Week 8. There is some optimism, though, as Collins could return in Week 10, but Week 9 looks bleak for the Texans. Diggs did not practice on Monday and is not expected to play Thursday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With both Collins and Diggs out, the wide receiver depth chart is mighty skimpy. Tank Dell would likely be the new alpha with Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods and John Metchie III filling in the cracks.
In Week 8, Dell ran 30 routes and caught all four targets for 35 yards and a touchdown.
On the season, Dell has run 214 routes, scored two touchdowns and posted a Rec EPA of 3.6. The target rate has been 17.8%. The EPA/Target is 0.09.
Compare that to 2023, when he scored seven touchdowns, and had a Rec EPA of 26.7, a target rate of 24.9% and 0.36 EPA/Target on 301 routes.
In Week 9, Dell should be peppered with targets. The problem is two-fold, though. Is Dell the same player as the 2023 version after fibula surgery in December? Secondly, the strength of the Jets pass defense is their secondary, particularly their cornerbacks.
While Dell should see an uptick in targets, I think Joe Mixon and the tight ends will be more involved in the passing game as well. Dell is a fine play due to the expected volume, but I’d temper expectations if plugging him into a lineup.
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