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.
The Texans selected Ohio State TE Cade Stover in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. A five-year college player, Stover began his stint in Columbus as a LB. He soon transitioned to TE and held a starting role from 2022-2023. Modest production followed, largely because of the Buckeyes’ strong WR corps. In ‘22, Stover ranked third on the team in catches (36), fourth in yards (406), and fourth in TDs (5). 2023 turned up similar production, although his yards per catch jumped from 11.3 to 14.0. His yards per route run also rose from 1.32 to 2.04. The 2023 figure ranked fourth among 32 TEs with 50+ targets, and it came alongside a sharp dip in QB play post-C.J. Stroud. On tape, Stover shows a nasty demeanor – hardly a surprise given his defensive background. Reliable hands and plus athleticism also supply hope that he can develop into an NFL starter. At the Combine, he compiled a rock solid 8.22 Relative Athletic Score, boosted by a 4.65 forty time and a 1.61 ten-yard split. In Houston, Stover joins a TE room led by Dalton Schultz, who’s signed through the 2026 season. But getting to play with QB C.J. Stroud certainly adds to Stover’s dynasty appeal.
Ohio State TE Cade Stover measured in at nearly 6'4 and 247 pounds at the NFL Combine. He displayed enough speed with a 4.65 forty – plus a 1.59 10-yard split. A former DL/LB, Stover transitioned to TE in 2020. Following two developmental years, he popped from 2022-2023 with 77-982-10. He brings excellent play strength and the ability to make tough, contested catches. Already 24 (in June), he’s on the older side for a prospect. But the timing of his position switch suggests he could reach another level within the next few seasons. Round 3 draft capital is firmly in play here.
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