Quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans got off to an ominous start against the New England Patriots, but things went from rocky to ominous when the third-year passer lost his leading receiver, Dalton Schultz.
Stroud and the Texans were already short-handed on offense, and their defense has also had to overcome injuries all season.
They are now faced with another.
Texans Lose Dalton Schultz to Calf Injury vs Patriots
GettyDalton Schultz #86 of the Houston Texans runs after catching a pass against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Texans entered their AFC Divisional Playoffs without No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins, who is sidelined due to a concussion suffered in the Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Schultz exited during the Texans’ third possession of the game.
He was deemed questionable, with what the team is calling a calf injury. It was non-contact.
“Losing Dalton Schultz would be very tough for the #Texans,” The Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren posted on X in reaction to the injury.
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported that Schultz “spent a brief amount of time in the medical tent and then immediately had to go to the locker room. … We’ll keep an eye on if Schultz will return. Obviously, a key piece of that drive they had before this possession.”
The Texans officially ruled Schultz out ahead of the six-minute mark in the second quarter.
Schultz caught two passes for 47 yards, including a 42-yarder to get into scoring range.
The Texans had a rushing touchdown from running back Woody Marks nullified on that series, and they had to settle for a field goal.
Dalton Schultz Would Be Sorely Missed
GettyDalton Schultz #86 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel for a game against the Miami Dolphins.
Schultz, 29, caught a career-high 82 passes for 777 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was second behind Nico Collins in targets and yards, but still led the team in receptions. The Texans were able to put together a touchdown drive on the following series.
Still, the Texans would miss Schultz if he were forced to miss the rest of this contest.
Moreover, Schultz’s status would be one to monitor if the Texans advance. They would face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
The Texans navigated injuries at tight end all season. Cade Stover replaced Schultz as the Texans’ top tight end, and Harrison Bryant was also active. There is no replacing the experience Schultz has or the trust he has earned from Stroud.
Injuries Add to Insult for Texans
GettyTytus Howard #71 and C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans look on against the Seattle Seahawks.
In addition to Schultz, the Texans saw offensive lineman Tytus Howard during the second frame. Howard, typically the Texans’ starting left guard, was filling in at right tackle for Trent Brown, who missed the game due to an ankle injury.
Like Brown, Howard has battled Injuries this season, and the Texans have shuffled their offensive line multiple times.
The Texans also saw running back Woody Marks sidelined by a shoulder injury, ruling him questionable to return. He did not have his helmet when spotted on the sideline after the injury, but returned to the game, along with Howard, for the Texans before halftime.
The biggest concern for the Texans, though, was Stroud and the offense’s struggles.
Stroud threw 3 interceptions in seven passes and ended four of six drives with picks, while facing consistent pressure. Schultz’s injury only exacerbated the situation for the Texans.
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