Feb 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks to the media during his introductory press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans wide receiver position could look different next season. Tank Dell could miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after sustaining a devastating injury in Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dell suffered multiple torn ligaments, including a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, as well as meniscus damage and a dislocated kneecap.
Their other starting receiver might depart in free agency.
The Houston Texans Pro Bowl receiver is set to hit free agency
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Stefon Diggs is set to hit free agency after the Texans acquired him last offseason, restructured his contract, and voided the final year of his deal. Diggs suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. The former Pro Bowl wideout will test the open market, and there are reports that they would be willing to retain him, but on a ‘team-friendly‘ deal.
Concerned with their depth at wide receiver, the front office acquired one from a bitter rival.
Houston Texans acquire receiver from bitter rival
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) signals a first down during the third quarter an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans 34-14. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Texans acquired Christian Kirk from the Jaguars for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Kirk is in the final year of his 4-year, $72 million contract. As Pelissero points out, since the Texans are taking on his contract, he is scheduled to make $16.5 million in salary in 2025.
It’s a 2026 7th-round pick going to Jacksonville for Christian Kirk. The #Texans take on Christian Kirk’s existing contract, which is set to pay him $16.5 million in 2025, the final year on the deal. https://t.co/NU4MqShdY1
The veteran receiver has not been able to stay healthy lately
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) who can’t hang on to a pass and was apparently injured on the play and had to leave the game during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]After a breakout inaugural season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, Christian Kirk has not been able to stay healthy lately, missing 14 of 34 regular season games over the past two seasons. Kirk missed the final five games in 2023 with a core muscle injury and the final nine games in 2024 with a broken collarbone. The Jaguars were planning to release him but were able to get draft capital from the Houston Texans.
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