The Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the 2026 NFL players, and could be down one of their best pass-catchers for the remainder of the game.
No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins was already ruled out for the game due to a concussion. Tight end Dalton Schultz was running a route in the first quarter, and then came up limping. He was diagnosed with a calf injury and went to the medical tent before going to the locker room. Schultz is considered questionable to return as the Texans have to try to find some help for quarterback CJ Stroud.
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Here are the latest injury updates for Schultz in the divisional round against the Patriots.
Dalton Schultz injury updates
Schultz hurt his calf in the first quarter of the game against New England. He was running a route in the endzone, but came up limping.
Per a sideline report from Laura Rutledge, the Houston tight end briefly went into the medical tent before going to the locker room.
Schultz is considered questionable to return.
This article will be updated.
MORE: Texans WR depth chart with Nico Collins injured
Dalton Schultz stats
vs. Patriots
- 2 targets
- 2 receptions
- 47 yards
Before getting hurt, Schultz helped Houston get down the field with a massive 42-yard gain.
Texans TE Dalton Schultz questionable to return with calf injury. Grabbed for it on a red zone play… after taking an earlier pass that drive 42 yards.Pic.twitter.com/Lok3WoDAGn
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 18, 2026
2025
- 17 games
- 106 targets
- 82 receptions
- 777 yards
- 3 TDS
Some touchdowns don't utilize their starting tight end, but the Texans do. Schultz had the most receptions on the team during the regular season. He was also second on the team with targets and yards.
If Schultz can't return to the game, the Texans would be down their top two pass-catchers in Collins and Schultz. The tight end had 106 targets in the regular season, the second-most for Houston, and the third-most was wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who had 68.
Texans TE depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Dalton Schultz |
| 2 | Cade Stover |
| 3 | Harrison Bryant |
| 4 | Brevin Jordan -- IR |
Schultz is the unquestioned starting tight end when he is healthy. As long as he is sidelined, backup tight end Cade Stover will likely see an increase in work. He played in only nine games in the regular season. Stover brought in 12 of his 16 targets for 76 yards with no touchdowns.
Third-string tight end Harrison Bryant may also get some looks, especially in two-tight-end sets. He suited up for 12 regular-season games, but caught only two of his six targets for seven yards.