Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Should keep spot in three-wide sets
Rotowire
Hutchinson should have a regular role in three-receiver sets after Stefon Diggs (knee) was diagnosed Tuesday with a torn ACL, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
With top wideout Nico Collins (hamstring) having played just four snaps over the Texans' last four games, Hutchinson had already been handling an expanded role. He played north of 60 percent of offensive snaps in three of those four contests but produced a meager 4-61-0 receiving line on seven targets over that stretch. Collins is set to miss one more game Thursday versus the Jets before potentially returning from injured reserve in Week 10, but the season-ending injury Diggs suffered in Week 8 keeps a spot open for Hutchinson. However a healthy Collins, along with Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz, should still dominate targets from C.J. Stroud, making Hutchinson is risky fantasy option.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: One target in win
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught his lone target for 19 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over Indianapolis in Week 8.
He maintained an elevated snap count (44) with Nico Collins (hamstring) out, and Hutchinson was on the field more than either Robert Woods (24 snaps) or John Metchie (20). However, all three could be in line for increased roles this coming Thursday against the Jets, as Stefon Diggs suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury Sunday. Collins isn't due back until Week 10, so Houston's wideout group this Thursday could be headed by Tank Dell, with Hutchinson, Metchie and Woods behind him.
Hutchinson caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Packers.
Hutchinson continued a run of elevated snap counts, as both Nico Collins (hamstring) and Robert Woods (foot) were inactive. Hutchinson, who was on the field for 41 snaps Sunday, has averaged 41 snaps over the past three weeks. The increased playing time hasn't elevated him to fantasy relevance, however. He has three catches on six targets for 42 yards in those three games.
Hutchinson did not catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 41-21 win over the Patriots in Week 6.
Hutchinson is the next wideout up after Houston placed Nico Collins (hamstring) on injured reserve, playing 48 snaps and getting targeted three times in Week 5 after Collins left that contest. The Collins injury is unlikely to result in a meaningful role for Hutchinson, who saw 33 snaps Sunday and sits behind Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell on the wide receiver depth chart and below tight end Dalton Schultz as a target. Additionally, the returns of running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce took pressure off the passing game in Week 6.
Hutchinson could settle in as the Texans' No. 3 receiver behind Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell beginning with Sunday's game at New England after Houston placed Nico Collins (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday.
After Collins played just nine snaps in this past Sunday's win over the Bills before exiting with a hamstring injury, Hutchinson stepped up to play a season-high 48 snaps. The second-year wideout didn't do much with his extended playing time, finishing the day with two catches for 31 yards on three targets. Diggs, Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz will likely remain greater priorities in the passing attack in the weeks to come, but Collins' absence at least creates more opportunities for Hutchinson and thus puts the 24-year-old more on the radar in deeper leagues.
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Steps in for injured starter
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught two of three targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Bills in Week 5.
Hutchinson's three targets were a season high, and the wideout was handed a season-high 48 snaps in place of Nico Collins, who was removed after nine snaps with a hamstring injury. Last week, Robert Woods was the main beneficiary when Tank Dell was inactive. Collins will be monitored this week as Houston prepares for a Week 6 visit to New England, and the Texans haven't ruled him out for next Sunday's matchup, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. If Collins is sidelined though, it's not clear whether Hutchinson or Woods, or both, would step into a bigger role.
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: One official target in loss
Rotowire
Hutchinson did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 34-7 loss to Minnesota in Week 3.
Hutchinson had another target that would have resulted in a 16-yard catch for a first down, but it was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty. Through three weeks, the second-year wideout has one catch on three targets for three yards. He and Robert Woods are getting similar playing time thus far as depth behind Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Targeted once in win
Rotowire
Hutchinson did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Bears.
Hutchinson played just nine snaps, which was the same amount as veteran Robert Woods, and the team's top three wideouts have dominated the targets and playing time through two games. Hutchinson has one catch on two targets for three yards thus far in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Logs target in win
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over Indianapolis in Week 1.
Hutchinson served as the fifth wideout for the season opener, playing 12 snaps. That's the same amount as 12-year veteran Robert Woods, who went without a target in the win. Hutchinson leveraged a strong preseason to leapfrog John Metchie, who was inactive Week 1. Hutchinson came on late in 2023, when the Texans were dealing with injuries, and appears to be an injury away from a more significant role.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Leading receiver Saturday
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught four of seven targets for 34 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.
Hutchinson finished up a strong preseason, leading the team in receptions (12), targets (20) and yards (114). That should put him in consideration for what will be, at most, two available roster spots at depth wide receiver. Hutchinson is battling with John Metchie, Robert Woods, Steven Sims and Ben Skowronek.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Two grabs Saturday
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught two-of-four targets for 20 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants.
Following a strong showing in the Hall of Fame Game, Hutchinson put together a pair of mediocre outings the subsequent two weeks. He may have entered the game as the leader for the fifth spot on the wideout depth chart, but his main competitor, John Metchie, had a strong game with six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Gets first-half work
Rotowire
Hutchinson caught one of three targets for four yards, rushed once for 19 yards and returned a kickoff for 27 yards in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over Pittsburgh.
Hutchinson didn't have the impact as a receiver that he did in the Hall of Fame Game last week, but he was given snaps in the first half, putting him in the mix for one of the final spots on the wideout depth chart. He also ran the ball for the second straight preseason contest, which suggests the Texans view him as a potential multi-dimensional weapon.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Impresses coach
Rotowire
Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans on Friday praised Hutchinson's performance in Thursday's preseason game, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports. "Hutch did a really nice job," Ryans said. "Had a good feel for the football, really liked where he was going. He made some really nice plays for us."
Hutchinson paced Houston's receivers, catching five of six targets for 56 yards against the Bears. There's a crowd of wideouts looking for the final spots behind the Texans' top three, and Hutchinson's effort at least puts him ahead of John Metchie and on par with Ben Skowronek. It's unclear where Hutchinson sits in relation to Noah Brown (undisclosed) and Robert Woods, both of whom did not play Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Paces air attack in HOF Game
Rotowire
Hutchinson brought in five of six targets for 56 yards in the Texans' 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday. He also rushed once for eight yards.
The second-year pro led the Texans in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night due to the top receiver quartet of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Noah Brown (undisclosed) all sitting out. Hutchinson, who started Thursday's game and recorded a six-yard grab on the first offensive play, understandably filled a minor role in Houston's air attack as a rookie (8-90 line on 19 targets), and he'll have to fight for a roster spot again this summer with Robert Woods, John Metchie and offseason addition Ben Skowronek all vying for reserve spots.
