The Houston Texans came into Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots without Nico Collins, their best offensive player. Before halftime, the team lost another important member of the offense … and had numerous other injury scares.
Tight end Dalton Schultz left the divisional round game due to injury. Schultz suffered a calf injury near the end of the first quarter. It appeared to be a non-contact injury for the 29-year-old, who grabbed at his calf after prematurely slowing down while running a passing route.
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After being evaluated, it was determined Schultz would not return. He finished the game with two catches for 47 yards.
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Schultz wasn’t the only member of the Texans’ offense who got banged up in the first half. The team briefly lost running back Woody Marks and offensive lineman Tytus Howard with injuries. The Texans went on to lose 28-16, sending the Patriots to the AFC championship next weekend in Denver.
Marks went down with an injury in the second quarter. After carrying the ball eight times and securing one catch before the end of the second quarter, Marks may have been injured while making a tackle after Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw one of his four first-half interceptions.
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Stroud attempted to hit Xavier Hutchinson with a pass over the middle to try and make it 3rd and short. The ball hit Hutchinson in the hands and bounced into the arms of Patriots defender Craig Woodson, who slid to the ground, got up and attempted to advance the ball.
Woodson was able to gain a few yards back before he was hit hard by Marks, who made the tackle.
Shortly after the play, Marks was spotted being looked at by trainers on the sideline. He was initially deemed questionable to return with a shoulder injury. By the time the Texans’ next offensive drive started, Marks was back on the field.
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Howard was also spotted receiving medical attention on the sideline. He was never officially given an injury designation and was able to return.
The Texans came into the game without Collins, who led the team in receiving yards and tied for the team lead in touchdowns in 2025. Collins suffered a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round and was unable to take part in practice all week.
While Collins was the team’s most productive receiver, Schultz actually led the team in receptions, hauling in 82 passes this season.
With both players sidelined early, Stroud was forced to rely on Christian Kirk and rookies Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins the rest of the way.
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This story will be updated.
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