Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk is set to return in Week 9 from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but he steps into a brutal matchup against the Broncos, who have allowed the second-fewest wide receiver fantasy points this season. Kirk has missed two games on two occasions this season with hamstring issues, and in his three healthy contests has totaled 10 catches on 16 targets for 109 yards. The Texans have young receivers who stepped up while Kirk was out, so it will be very interesting to see how the veteran works back into the mix on Sunday. He is the WR58 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 9, so he's tough to start in most formats unless bye weeks and injuries have you desperate for PPR production.
Nov 1, 2025 5:27 AM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday and has been cleared to play in the Week 9 tilt on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos. The Texans will also have top receiver Nico Collins (concussion) back in the fold after he missed the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers. With both Collins and Kirk back in action this weekend, it will make it more difficult for rookies Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson to stand out in the passing attack against a stingy Broncos defense. The 28-year-old Kirk has missed the Texans' last two games, but he should return to starting slot duties this Sunday. It's been a forgettable year so far for Kirk in his first season in Houston, as he's aught 10 passes for 109 yards and no touchdowns on 16 targets while playing in only three games due to hamstring injuries. Kirk won't be a recommended flex play in fantasy in his first game back.
Oct 31, 2025 5:33 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk is practicing again on Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander. Kirk has missed the last two games with another hamstring injury, but he returned to a limited practice on Wednesday and could be trending towards making his return this Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos in Week 9. The 28-year-old slot man might have to upgrade to a full practice before Friday, though, to avoid going into the weekend with a questionable tag. In addition to Kirk, the Texans' offense could be getting top pass-catcher Nico Collins back on Sunday after he missed last week's win over the San Francisco 49ers due to a concussion. Kirk will be a pretty shaky, low-upside flex option for fantasy managers against Denver if he's active this weekend. But more importantly, if both Collins and Kirk return, it will be bad news for rookies Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson.
Oct 30, 2025 1:35 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) has been sidelined since the team's Week 5 matchup with the Ravens. Kirk returned to practice on Wednesday, ahead of the team's Week 9 showdown with the Broncos. The 29-year-old's availability would be a major addition to a passing game averaging just 215.3 yards per game. Kirk has tallied 10 receptions for 109 yards over just three games. The Texans have remained in contention, largely due to their defense. As the offense gets healthy, a strong second half could be on the horizon for quarterback C.J. Stroud and the passing game.
Oct 29, 2025 2:52 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Unsurprisingly, Kirk will sit out this weekend after not practicing all week. It has been an injury plagued season for Kirk who has only managed to play in three games. The Texans will also be without Nico Collins (concussion), which will leave them shorthanded on offense. The expectation is that Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel will be asked to step up. Between the three, Noel offers the most upside after hauling in four receptions for 77 yards last week.
Oct 24, 2025 6:06 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) failed to participate once again in Thursday's practice and is now trending toward missing a second consecutive game. Kirk has struggled to get onto the field this season, due to lingering hamstring issues, appearing in just three of the team's six games. When healthy, Kirk is a consistent target for C.J. Stroud in the passing game, but it has been difficult to get him on the field. Xavier Hutchinson appears likely to get the start on Sunday with both Kirk and Nico Collins (concussion) banged up. C.J. Stroud will likely also look to rookie Jayden Higgins to jumpstart a sputtering passing game.
Oct 23, 2025 2:42 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice and remains questionable for Week 8 as he works his way back from a lingering soft-tissue injury. Kirk has not appeared in a game since October 5 and was unavailable for Monday night's loss to the Seahawks, marking yet another setback in what has been a frustrating stretch for the veteran receiver. Dating back to last season, Kirk has struggled to stay on the field, playing in just eight games in 2024, and durability has become a growing concern. When healthy, however, Kirk has proven to be a reliable playmaker. His last full season came in 2022, when he delivered 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. With Nico Collins (concussion) also uncertain for Week 8, Houston could desperately use Kirk's return, but fantasy managers should monitor practice reports closely before trusting him in lineups.
Oct 22, 2025 2:24 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) won't play on Monday night versus the Seattle Seahawks. The wideout was limited during Friday's practice before not suiting up for Saturday's session. It's unknown how severe the injury is. However, it's not good news for a player who's struggled to stay healthy all year. Kirk has appeared in three games for the Texans this season, amassing 10 grabs (16 targets) for 109 yards. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see if he can get healthy enough to suit up against the 49ers in Week 8. In the meantime, Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson are in line to see more targets behind Nico Collins, giving both players a higher ceiling for Week 7.
Oct 18, 2025 8:47 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) popped up on the Week 7 injury report on Friday and was listed as a limited participant in practice. It's unclear if Kirk injured his hamstring on Thursday or if the Texans were just giving the 28-year-old a maintenance day, but we should know more on his status for the Monday night game in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. It's worth keeping in mind that Kirk missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury. If it's an aggravation of the same injury and he's forced to miss this week, it would mean more snaps and targets for rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson behind WR1 Nico Collins. Nobody outside of Collins in Houston has really been fantasy relevant this year, with Kirk catching just 10 of 16 targets for 109 yards and no touchdowns this year in his first three games with the team.
Oct 17, 2025 8:57 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk caught three of four targets for 20 yards last week in his team's 26-0 win over the Titans, and he will look to continue to work his way into a volume role against the Ravens this week, after missing the first two weeks of the season. He played 61% of snaps in Week 4 after playing 67% in Week 3. With the Texans playing from ahead, they didn't throw the ball as muh in Week 4, though, so his targets decreased. The veteran wideout continues to find a way to carve out a role in Houston's underwhelming passing offense, and he seems to be the primary slot option and secondary receiver behind Nico Collins. The Ravens have been very beatable through the air so he does have potential flier upside even though his WR43 ranking on RotoBaller means he's not an ideal flex solution.
Oct 4, 2025 11:08 AM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury but was able to make his return in Week 3 against the Jaguars. He'll look to build on that game with a better Week 4 against the Titans and help his new team to its first win of the season. In his Texans' debut, he only had 25 receiving yards on three catches, but he was the primary slot receiver and logged 67% of snaps, which was second to Nico Collins among wide receivers. He had eight targets, which was also second on the team behind only Collins, and he nearly hauled in a game-tying touchdown on the Texans' final drive. He and C.J. Stroud will continue to work on their chemistry, and the Texans' offense still has a long way to go before it's reliable for fantasy. Kirk is only the WR55 this week in RotoBaller's rankings, so he isn't worth starting in most formats, although he is a name to watch if he stays in such a critical role for his new team and the offense finds a rhythm.
Sep 26, 2025 7:44 PM EST
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel has fallen off the fantasy radar with veteran Christian Kirk back in the lineup. Through three games, Noel has just two catches on three targets for 11 yards, making a bigger impact on special teams than in the passing game. Kirk returned from a hamstring injury in Week 3, playing 67% of the snaps and finishing as the team's second-most targeted receiver (8) behind Nico Collins. With Kirk re-established in the offense and the Texans' receiver room crowded, Noel's role is likely limited to return duties moving forward. For fantasy purposes, Noel is not rosterable outside of deep dynasty formats.
Sep 24, 2025 10:21 AM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) will make his first appearance with his new team in Week 3 after being removed from the injury report ahead of this week's matchup in Jacksonville. The 28-year-old from Texas A&M is starting his eighth season in the NFL after playing four years with the Cardinals and three with the Jaguars. He'll get a chance to face his former team in his Texans' debut, but the team's offense has sputtered so far this season. Since his role may be limited and the offense hasn't been effective, he is only WR64 in the RotoBaller rankings for his season debut. He isn't a great option this week, but it will be important to monitor his usage and role in Houston's offense.
Sep 19, 2025 9:48 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receivers Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) have both been removed from the final Week 3 injury report and will make their debuts on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Houston will get two key offensive weapons back on Sunday as they look for their first win of the year. Kirk, 28, should be much more involved on offense than Berrios as the team's primary slot receiver, although don't be surprised if his snaps are managed after he missed the first two games of the season. We wouldn't recommend Kirk as a starting flex option in deeper fantasy leagues in his Texans' debut, but his presence should take some attention off WR1 Nico Collins. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who did very little with Kirk out for the first two weeks, now have an even tougher path to fantasy relevance.
Sep 19, 2025 5:19 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is "on track to return" in a Week 3 divisional matchup on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. The Texans said earlier this week that they expected both Kirk and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) to play for the first time this season. It's unclear right now if they'll both be removed from the final injury report or if they'll head into Sunday with a questionable designation, but either way, they should be on the field against Jacksonville. Kirk is the one that fantasy managers need to keep an eye on. While he's not start-worthy in his debut with Houston this weekend, he will give their struggling offense a boost and is expected to see most of the snaps out of the slot when he's up to speed. Kirk's impending return is definitely bad news for rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Sep 19, 2025 12:53 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receivers Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) were both limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Kirk and Berrios both missed the first two weeks of the season with their hamstring injuries, but they are both expected to make their season debuts this Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old Kirk is expected to operate as Houston's starting slot receiver when he's healthy, although he'll make for a pretty risky flex option for fantasy managers if he makes his team debut this weekend. Kirk's return will take a lot of attention away from stud WR1 Nico Collins, though, for a Texans offense that has not impressed early on. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will have a harder time contributing with Kirk in the fold.
Sep 18, 2025 5:23 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday and got in a limited session, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. He is expected to make his team and season debut in Week 3 against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, after he missed the first two weeks of the season. Fellow wideout Braxton Berrios (hamstring) is also expected to make his season debut this weekend. The 28-year-old Kirk is expected to be Houston's starting slot receiver when healthy, but don't be surprised if they ease him back into action against the Jags. In a Texans offense that has struggled to sustain drives through two weeks, we wouldn't recommend Kirk as anything more than a shaky WR5/flex if he's active on Sunday for his debut with the team. His impending return is bad news for both rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Sep 17, 2025 5:27 PM EST
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Tuesday that wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is expected to return in Week 3 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars after he missed the first two games of the year with a hamstring injury. Houston will welcome Kirk back with open arms after opening the season 0-2. While Kirk should operate as the starter out of the slot, he'll be a pretty shaky flex play in fantasy in his Texans debut this Sunday, especially since quarterback C.J. Stroud has been under pressure on 39% of his dropbacks through two weeks -- seventh-most among starting QBs. The return of Kirk should only help Houston's offense, though, and take some attention off All-Pro wideout Nico Collins. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will have an even harder time standing out with Kirk back in the fold.
Sep 16, 2025 3:24 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) will not play on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a hamstring injury, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Kirk has yet to suit up for the Texans as a result of the injury. Without Kirk, rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could be in line for more snaps in Week 2. Texans tight end Dalton Schultz could also see an uptick in targets, as he's typically effective in the same areas of the field as Kirk. Still, outside of star wideout Nico Collins, none of Houston's skill position players profiles as a must-start fantasy option for Week 2.
Sep 13, 2025 4:32 PM EST
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is missing his second straight day of practice on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Kirk missed the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday and looks primed to miss his second straight game to begin the 2025 season in Monday night's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the 28-year-old has one more chance to practice on Saturday. But as of now, fantasy managers shouldn't like Kirk's chances of playing in Week 2. Rookie Jaylin Noel was expected to see most of the slot duties in Week 1 with Kirk out, but he caught just one of two targets for seven yards. The Texans spread the ball around and couldn't do much on offense against the Rams. Expect Nico Collins to continue to see the vast majority of looks in the passing attack if Kirk sits, with Noel, rookie Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson battling for secondary looks.
Sep 12, 2025 1:21 PM EST