Cade Stover’s broken foot and indefinite sidelining upend Houston’s TE depth, cueing a potential roster upgrade. Stover was a rising factor in two-TE sets; with Irv Smith out for the season, the Texans must lean on Harrison Bryant or Luke Lachey from the practice squad while exploring veteran options in free agency. Jake Andrews’ day-to-day status keeps interior line concerns on the radar. Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are inching back from hamstring injuries, but timetable remains open.

Fantasy takeaway: Stover’s absence tightens the Texans’ TE target share, elevating Bryant and Lachey as immediate speculative adds with upside if they seize the opportunity, while the team’s free-agent pursuit could alter the midseason TE landscape.

Houston's Saturday win vs Detroit was the last big tryout for bubble players aiming to stick on the Texans' 53-man roster. Powell erupted for six catches and 63 yards, underscoring his breakout potential in a depth role. Mertz turned in his best preseason performance, flashing poise and decision-making as Houston balanced youth with veterans. D'Angelo Ross struggled again, highlighting the defense's depth questions.

Irv Smith Jr. and Harrison Bryant battled for the third tight end spot, with Smith showing the most consistent Week 3 signal-calling even as a false start clipped a key drive. Pierce delivered 17 yards on seven carries, Brooks added some burst, and the group as a whole battled through the Lions game to prove they belong in some capacity on game days. Cut day is looming, and many of these players will be fighting for practice-squad life or a final roster spot.

Bottom line: the Texans earned a few yeses and a few maybes, setting the stage for Tuesday's roster decisions as they trim the depth chart and evaluate who can contribute on special teams and depth roles this season.

PFF's 2021 NFL re-draft reshuffles the board: Christian Darrisaw lands with Carolina at pick 8, leaving Minnesota to pivot and snap up Kyle Pitts at 14. Pitts still posts 1.22 PFF WAR across four seasons, ranking 10th among tight ends, a reminder that even high expectations aren’t foolproof in a stacked class. The Vikings’ tackle need opens the door for Pitts’ Day 1 fit, and Minnesota’s TE picture shifts as Irv Smith Jr. endures injury trouble and Chris Herndon’s role fades. A Penix-led Panthers era looms in this hypothetical, with Cousins steering the Minnesota offense from Day 1 and Pitts providing a dynamic mismatch throughout.

With the Houston Texans gearing up for the 2025 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, anticipation is building as they prepare to make a mark in the league. This season, the Texans will unveil new talents, including tight end Irv Smith Jr., who is set to wear No. 83. Smith's presence adds depth to a tight end position that has evolved over the years with several notable players donning the number.

Since the Texans' inception in 2002, the No. 83 jersey has seen various players contribute to the franchise's history. The article highlights past players who have made their mark wearing this number, underlining the significance of jersey numbers in reflecting a team's legacy and the players' contributions. As the countdown continues, fans look forward to how Smith and the rest of the Texans roster will perform this season.