Cade Stover underwent successful foot surgery after Week 1, placing him on injured reserve and sidelining him indefinitely. Houston pivots to Dalton Schultz as the top TE with Harrison Bryant stepping in as depth, hoping for a midseason return from Stover. Week 2 against the Buccaneers will test the Texans’ TE rotation as Bryant comes off the practice squad to bolster the room, while John Metchie’s offseason trade reshapes the depth chart.

Stover’s 4-catch, 22-yard showing in the opener underscored his fantasy upside, making his absence a real hurdle for Houston’s targets. Schultz should assume lead duties, with Bryant offering a potentialTE2 floor in two-TE sets, and the Texans’ offense recalibrating around these changes as they eye durability and depth in a tough early schedule.