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With Braxton Berrios and Christian Kirk out against the Los Angeles Rams, the Houston Texans have a plan on how to work their receivers in the passing game.
According NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, third-year receiver Xavier Hutchinson is expected to get starter snaps today in place of Kirk. Hutchinson, a former sixth-round pick, has been one of the standouts of training camp while fighting for his spot on the active roster.
Last season, Hutchinson caught 12 passes during the regular season for 117 yards. His biggest catch came in the wild-card round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, when C.J. Stroud connected on a third-and-long downfield for a 34-yard pickup.
That served as the turning point for Houston en route to a 32-12 win. During camp, Hutchinson battled with four other targets for the WR No. 6 role, but he ended up serving as WR No. 4 for most of August, earning his spot on the active roster.
Traded from Jacksonville for a 2026 seventh-round pick, Kirk was expected to be the No. 2 wide receiver to Collins after in March. Health has been a concern throughout his career, as Kirk has missed 14 games over the past two seasons because of season-ending injuries.
He's missed every practice this week while nursing a hamstring injury. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the injury is expected to sideline him for two weeks injury, but the Texans will be "cautious" with him as similar to Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins from a season ago. Collins, a two-time 1,000-yard receiver, suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills last season and missed the next five games despite being cleared for activity after four weeks.
With Kirk and Berrios sidelined, Houston will rely on rookie Jaylin Noel as the potential slot receiver and return man. Noel, the Texans' third-round pick out of Iowa State, mainly plays in the slot and is expected to get that first crack at reps.
"Jaylin’s been steady ever since he got here. Him and Jayden. It's a really consistent group, come to work every day. I think I've talked about it, very mature and obviously he's talented," Texans offensive coodinator Nick Caley said Thursday. "He had his opportunity to play in the National Football League and we're really excited to have him. But, he's been working, he's been developing. Been very pleased with him and he cares, and he loves football. Can't beat that.”
Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 3:25 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: Xavier Hutchinson at WR in place of injured Christian Kirk
Continue reading...
According NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, third-year receiver Xavier Hutchinson is expected to get starter snaps today in place of Kirk. Hutchinson, a former sixth-round pick, has been one of the standouts of training camp while fighting for his spot on the active roster.
Last season, Hutchinson caught 12 passes during the regular season for 117 yards. His biggest catch came in the wild-card round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, when C.J. Stroud connected on a third-and-long downfield for a 34-yard pickup.
That served as the turning point for Houston en route to a 32-12 win. During camp, Hutchinson battled with four other targets for the WR No. 6 role, but he ended up serving as WR No. 4 for most of August, earning his spot on the active roster.
Traded from Jacksonville for a 2026 seventh-round pick, Kirk was expected to be the No. 2 wide receiver to Collins after in March. Health has been a concern throughout his career, as Kirk has missed 14 games over the past two seasons because of season-ending injuries.
He's missed every practice this week while nursing a hamstring injury. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the injury is expected to sideline him for two weeks injury, but the Texans will be "cautious" with him as similar to Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins from a season ago. Collins, a two-time 1,000-yard receiver, suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills last season and missed the next five games despite being cleared for activity after four weeks.
With Kirk and Berrios sidelined, Houston will rely on rookie Jaylin Noel as the potential slot receiver and return man. Noel, the Texans' third-round pick out of Iowa State, mainly plays in the slot and is expected to get that first crack at reps.
"Jaylin’s been steady ever since he got here. Him and Jayden. It's a really consistent group, come to work every day. I think I've talked about it, very mature and obviously he's talented," Texans offensive coodinator Nick Caley said Thursday. "He had his opportunity to play in the National Football League and we're really excited to have him. But, he's been working, he's been developing. Been very pleased with him and he cares, and he loves football. Can't beat that.”
Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 3:25 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: Xavier Hutchinson at WR in place of injured Christian Kirk
Continue reading...
