Though the Houston Texans have misplaced considered one of their greatest stars to a season-ending damage, they need to stay a Tremendous Bowl contender.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted broad receiver Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending knee damage in a 23-20 Week 8 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Diggs is a key piece of Houston’s aerial assault. By way of his first eight video games, the four-time Professional Bowler ranked seventh within the league in receptions (47), 18th in receiving yards (496) and was tied for 18th in TD catches (three).
Whereas it is a robust blow for Diggs and the Texans, the workforce might nonetheless overcome the damage.
WR Nico Collins — who leads Houston in receiving yards (567 in 5 video games) — is on observe to return from a hamstring damage in Week 10 in opposition to the Detroit Lions, by way of Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV in Houston.
Texans second-year WR Tank Dell solely has two TD catches by means of his first seven video games, however quarterback C.J. Stroud signaled they’re rebuilding their connection.
“Yeah, I believe he had an amazing mindset coming into the week, simply getting higher, proudly owning his alternatives,” Stroud mentioned of Dell in a Monday information convention. “It was good simply to get our mojo again going. I am simply tremendous pleased with him for what he is been capable of do, and he will need to step up actually large for us.”
If the Texans passing recreation falters with out Diggs, they will nonetheless depend on working again Joe Mixon and their fierce move rush.
Since coming back from an ankle damage in Week 2, Mixon has rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight video games. Houston has the league’s third-most sacks (27) behind the Denver Broncos and New York Giants.
Shedding a participant of Diggs’ caliber might make it tougher for the Texans (6-2) to compete with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (7-0), Buffalo Payments (6-2) and Baltimore Ravens (5-3) within the AFC playoff race.
Nonetheless, Houston is taken into account top-of-the-line groups within the convention. As of Tuesday, ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index offers the Texans the fourth-best probability (21.5 p.c) to make the AFC title recreation.
