The Houston Texans are set to welcome top receiving weapons Christian Kirk and Nico Collins back for their Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos, but the availability of their third major target, tight end Dalton Schultz, remains uncertain.
Schultz has been battling injuries for several weeks, yet he’s managed to suit up in every game so far. Now listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s contest, there’s growing concern about whether he’ll be able to take the field. Here’s the latest on his status.
Is Dalton Schultz Available for Week 9?
It’s unclear when Dalton Schultz initially suffered his injury, but he appeared on the Week 8 report with a back and shoulder issue. The 29-year-old logged three limited practices and was held to two catches for 24 yards in Houston’s 26–15 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
When the Texans began preparing for Week 9, Schultz did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. However, head coach DeMeco Ryans downplayed the concern.
“Dalton didn’t go today, but we’re expecting to get him back as the week goes on,” Ryans said. “He’s doing well, progressing just fine.”
Wednesday practices are largely meaningless at this point in the season, particularly for established veterans who don’t require extensive preparation to perform effectively on Sundays. Veterans typically get Wednesdays off or participate in limited capacity as teams manage their workload and prevent unnecessary aggravation of minor injuries.
Eventually, Schultz returned to practice on Friday, and while he was a full participant, he was still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Schultz definitely has a shoulder issue that requires maintenance, but it is likely more preventative care than anything significant. The fact that he was able to participate in practice at full capacity represents a positive sign for his availability against Denver.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson echoed that sentiment, reporting that Schultz is expected to play.
“#Texans tight end Dalton Schultz officially listed as questionable, but expected to play against #Broncos @KPRC2,” he wrote.
Through seven games this season, Schultz leads the Texans with 32 receptions and ranks second on the team with 308 receiving yards. According to PFSN’s TE Impact metric, he currently grades as the 12th-best tight end in the league with a score of 79.9.
The Texans are coming off an impressive home showing against the 49ers, with C.J. Stroud throwing for 318 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense held San Francisco to just 48 rushing yards.
It was the Texans’ third win in four games after an 0–3 start. With upcoming matchups against the Broncos, Bills, Colts, and Chiefs, the return of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, along with Schultz trending toward full recovery, should provide much-needed support for the offense.
