Christian Kirk will miss a second straight Texans game with a hamstring, leaving Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Justin Watson to pace Monday night’s attack against Tampa Bay. Braxton Berrios is out too, and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could see extra targets as Tank Dell’s 2025 absence looms large.

Weeks 3 vs Jacksonville could finally bring Kirk back, a reunion with his former team that would reshape Houston’s target share and lift the value of the top three receivers and the rookies stepping in now.

Houston’s Week 2 outlook hinges on the health of Christian Kirk, with hamstring concerns keeping him out of Friday practice and his Week 2 status uncertain for Monday vs. Tampa Bay. Braxton Berrios and Jake Andrews also missed time, elevating the Texans’ WR room and leaving Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, and rookie Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as the most likely beneficiaries if Kirk sits. Ed Ingram’s return to full practice bolsters the line, but receiver depth remains a concern as Houston eyes a primetime matchup.

If Kirk misses, Collins could lead targets, with Hutchinson and the rookie duo stepping into significant roles. The Texans may lean on a quick-hitting, pass-friendly script to ease quarterback C.J. Stroud into his second start, while TB’s defense tests the Texans’ growing inexperienced group. Fantasy managers should monitor Kirk’s practice status Saturday for clear Week 2 guidance.

Week 2 fantasy decisions center on a tight group of rookies and late-draft contributors: Quinshon Judkins, Matthew Golden, Harold Fannin Jr., Cam Ward, Tyler Warren, Elic Ayomanor, Jayden Higgins, Colston Loveland, Jaxson Dart, and Mason Taylor. The Who Should I Start tool lets you compare up to four players to decide who to start, with week-by-week matchups, injuries, and usage shaping each caller’s upside. Expect all ten to be part of owners’ deeper rosters, but beware rookie risk and volatile roles, which push several into “start if active” territory rather than automatic starts.

The Browns’ Ju nkins faces a Ravens defense that can clamp down; Golden’s ankle adds risk but a healthy slate boosts Thursday upside; Fannin Jr. and Ward offer Schottenheimer-era upside in TE/QB stacks; Ayomanor and Warren project as strong depth pieces in Tennessee and Indianapolis, while Higgins, Loveland, Dart, and Taylor swing between upside and spot starts depending on roles, weeks, and game scripts.