The Houston Texans’ offense was already down a pair of key weapons entering Week 4’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They now might be without one of C.J. Stroud’s best targets.
Wide receiver Tank Dell missed Wednesday after suffering a chest injury in Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings. Running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) also did not partake in drills.
According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Pierce is nearing a return to practice after missing the past two games. While Mixon is listed as day-to-day, it seems like Houston could elect to rest him one more week before taking on the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.
Dell’s absence is crucial due to his success against Jacksonville. Last season as a rookie, the former Houston product finished with 10 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns in two games.
“Tank will be day-to-day,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We’ll see how he continues to progress.”
Houston #Texans Wednesday Injury Report for Week 4 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/5X2j2qmVFt
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 25, 2024
Dell started off slow over the first two games entering his second season, totaling just four receptions for 34 yards. Sunday seemed to be a turning point after hauling in a season-best five passes for 62 yards prior to leaving in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Despite being down by 27, Ryans elected to keep all starters besides Stroud in the game for the final seven minutes with second-team quarterback Davis Mills.
“Injuries can happen at any given time,” Ryans said. “What if the injury happened first play of the game? Should he be out there? We can’t control when injuries happen. Guys are going to play. That’s part of our game, part of the nature of the business.
“Nobody can predict when injuries happen or when a guy should be in, shouldn’t be in.”
If the Texans are to be without Dell, John Metchie III could see action for the first time this season. He’s been inactive as a healthy scratch in all three games since making the 53-man roster.
“We have other guys who are well equipped,” Stroud said Wednesday. “Would we love to have one of the best receivers in the league to be out there? For sure. But it’s always, sadly in this league, next man up. Gotta find a way to win a football game.”
Here’s Wednesday’s full injury report for both Houston and Jacksonville:
Houston Texans
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| WR Tank Dell | chest | DNP | |||
| DL Foley Fatukasi | shoulder | DNP | |||
| RB Joe Mixon | ankle | DNP | |||
| RB Dameon Pierce | hamstring | DNP | |||
| OL Kenyon Green | illness | LP | |||
| OL Jarrett Patterson | calf | LP | |||
| DB Jimmie Ward | groin | LP | |||
| TE Dalton Schultz | ankle | LP | |||
DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| TE Evan Engram | hamstring | DNP | |||
| LB Foyesade Oluokun | foot | DNP | |||
| RB Tank Bigsby | shoulder | LP | |||
| OL Cam Robinson | shoulder | LP | |||
| WR Gabe Davis | shoulder | LP | |||
| DB Darnell Savage | quad | LP | |||
| OT Anton Harrison | knee | LP | |||
| CB Jarrian Jones | shoulder | LP | |||
| CB Montaric Brown | chest | LP | |||
DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation
