Will the Houston Texans crush 2025? Will QB C.J. Stroud rediscover his rookie magic? Will the Texans be at full strength for their Week 1 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams?
We'll find out soon enough, as HC DeMeco Ryans' crew opens the 2025 season against the Rams on Sunday at 4:25 pm ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The Texans were forced to rebuild their receivers room after the departure of the ever-mercurial Stefon Diggs and the brutal injury to Tank Dell. They were aggressive in the offseason, trading for ex-Jaguars WR Christian Kirk and drafting former Iowa State Cyclones speedsters Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
But will Kirk, their theoretical new WR2, line up across the field from star pass catcher Nico Collins on Sunday?
It's not looking good.
💰 Claim $50 instantly in Lineups for NFL after your first $5+ Lineup – Use PrizePicks Promo Code PLAYBOOK
Is Christian Kirk Playing In Week 1?
Christian Kirk is expected to miss Week 1 and could potentially be out for Week 2 due to a strained hamstring, Adam Schefter reports. He and teammate WR Braxton Berrios haven't practiced leading up to their Week 1 matchup with the Rams.
The short-handed Texans might have to lean on the two former Cyclones to fill the void next to Collins. The expectations are that Higgins will be in on 2-WR sets with Noel playing in the slot.
Texans’ WRs Fantasy Football Outlook Week 1
Without Kirk in the mix, Texans WR Nico Collins was already in line for a big day, but it might just be even bigger than that. Check out his PrizePicks projections for Week 1.
- 78.5 Receiving Yards
- 4.5 Receptions
- 15.5 Fantasy Score
Kirk's absence bodes well for fantasy football owners who took a flier on Higgins. The rookie has FLEX appeal in Week 1 against the Rams, and if he produces, there's a chance he becomes more involved in the offense moving forward.
Christian Kirk’s status is uncertain for this weekend, but what is certain is that PrizePicks makes it easy to play NFL DFS. Instead of sticking with the same Lineup, you can create a new one each week and win real money. And stick with PrizePicks Playbook for the latest in NFL news and fantasy takes.
