Dalton Schultz Second In Receiving In Playoff Loss
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished second on the team in receiving by catching all four of his targets for 63 yards in a Divisional Round defeat to Kansas City on Saturday. All told, it was the veteran tight end's second-best receiving day of the season, trailing only a 66-yard day against Detroit in November. About half Schultz's damage came on one play, a 34-yard juggling act along the sideline that was upheld after review. Though his receiving role initially took a hit, he ended up second on the team in targets and catches following injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Houston, which sees its season end in the Divisional Round for a second straight year, will likely be in the market for another pass catcher during the offseason.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) is off the injury report but still a fringe TE1 with the underdog Texans set to play the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. The 28-year old is now Houston's second option in the passing game with Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) out for the year, and he has a plus matchup against a Chiefs defense that ranked 28th against fantasy tight ends. But for the majority of the season, the production just hasn't been there for the veteran tight end or the Houston offense as a whole, which is averaging just 19 offensive points since the start of December. Schultz did manage five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting against Kansas City, but a road game attached to a so-so offense while playing the defending champs aren't exactly favorable settings.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Schultz is a key safety valve for quarterback C.J. Stroud, and his absence this weekend would certainly hurt the offense. Fortunately for the Texans, Schultz has logged two straight limited outings and seems to be trending toward playing on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Schultz caught 53 passes for 635 yards and two touchdowns this season. His numbers were down from 2023 due to the Texans' regression in the passing game as a whole. However, Stroud still looks to Schultz when he is in trouble. The Texans do not have many receiving options left. With wide receiver Robert Woods (hip) trending in the wrong direction with back-to-back DNPs, Schultz and wide receiver Nico Collins are poised to play huge roles this weekend. Both players will have to perform at a high level in a tough matchup with the Chiefs.
Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Texans said tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited during Tuesday's practice with a shoulder injury. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the week if he faces a setback. During their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday afternoon, the veteran tight end caught two of his four targets for 23 yards. With Tank Dell (knee) sidelined, Schultz has seen an increase in targets. Over his previous three contests, Schultz has seen 4.3 targets per game, with a high of six during Week 17. Fantasy managers should expect Schultz to bounce back this weekend facing the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends.
Dalton Schultz A Low-End Option In Playoff Formats
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a low-end option for managers in playoff formats with his team set to play host to the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card game. The 28-year-old finished as TE20 in PPR formats, his worst finish in five years, while attached to a Houston offense that didn't live up to preseason expectations. Now comes a playoff matchup with a Chargers defense that ranks in the top 10 against tight ends and holds opposing offenses to the fourth-lowest scoring percentage in football. Smart money is on Schultz continuing to be involved at a secondary level, but nothing overwhelming as the Texans seek to advance to the Divisional Round for the second straight season.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished the regular season by catching all three of his targets for 26 yards in a 23-14 victory at Tennessee. The Texans already were locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs prior to the game, so they gave starting quarterback C.J. Stroud one drive before giving way to backup Davis Mills. The veteran tight end still managed an average game despite key players getting most of the day off and a game plan that ended with more rushing attempts (29) than passing attempts (28). Schultz and the Texans will turn their attention to the postseason, where they will play host to a Wild Card game.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a fringe TE2 in a dicey Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Even without the surrounding circumstances, Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy tight ends that held the former Dallas Cowboy to two catches and 20 receiving yards in the first meeting. Beyond that, any of Houston's offensive regulars are a dangerous bet due to the upcoming playoffs: The Texans are set in stone as the No. 4 seed and cannot move, so they have nothing to gain against Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to play starters, but he also must be thinking about the Wild Card round next week. That means Schultz and the rest of the Houston regulars could find themselves on the sidelines at some point, diminishing their weekly value.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz drew six targets on Wednesday against Baltimore, but finished with just two catches for 21 yards. The Texans' offense looked awful in the game, with quarterback C.J. Stroud off target on a number of throws and the offensive line unable to sustain much of anything in the running or passing game as Houston failed to score a point on offense. Without No. 2 receiver Tank Dell (knee), the veteran tight end figured to be in line for a bit more receiving work, but a decent number of targets didn't lead to much production. Schultz likely will remain in the TE2 range when the Texans conclude the regular season on Jan. 5 at Tennessee.
Despite Opportunity, Dalton Schultz Still In TE2 Range
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz should be considered a high-end TE2 candidate ahead of the Texans' Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Houston offense has seen dramatic changes to its pecking order now that wide receivers Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) are both out for the season, leaving the veteran tight end as the team's likely second option behind leading receiver Nico Collins. Baltimore ranks 22nd against fantasy tight ends, providing a solid matchup, but the former Dallas Cowboy has been reliant upon touchdowns for top-10 finishes. This year, Schultz has far more finishes outside of the top 20 (nine) than touchdowns (two), so managers should reserve him only for formats that play two tight ends.
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz found the end zone for the second time in three weeks Saturday at Kansas City, ultimately ending the day with five catches for 45 yards and a score. The veteran tight end was targeted eight times, which was second on the team behind receiver Nico Collins. Most importantly for managers who roster Schultz, Houston might have lost another receiver in Tank Dell (knee), who had to be carted off with what appeared to be a significant injury. Receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) is already out for the season, so more tight end targets could be in order for Houston. Schultz and the Texans now have a short week prior to taking on Baltimore on Christmas Day.