Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Tank Dell

Thursday, May 1, 12:17 AM

The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander projects Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III to be left off the 53-man roster entering the start of the 2025 season this fall after the team added receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in last week's draft. Houston also added Christian Kirk, Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios in free agency this offseason, creating a lot of competition for the 24-year-old, who has battled injuries and a cancer scare to produce just 40 catches for 412 yards and one touchdown since being drafted in the second round (44th overall) in 2022 out of Alabama. Alexander expects Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson, Berrios and Watson to be battling for the final two receiver spots this summer behind Higgins, Kirk and Nico Collins. Metchie is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and could be a trade candidate if it's clear he's not going to make the roster.

Monday, May 5, 12:03 PM

The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander reports that Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will most likely miss the entire 2025 season and be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dell tore his ACL, LCL and MCL and also suffered meniscus damage to his left knee and a dislocated kneecap on Dec. 21 of last year. The 25-year-old has already had multiple surgeries on his knee and most likely will not be able to get back on the field this upcoming season, which shouldn't come as a big surprise given the severity of his injury. Dell could be back at some point in 2026, but it wouldn't be surprising if he's never the same player after such a devastating knee injury. It's why Houston drafted both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in this year's NFL draft after losing Stefon Diggs in free agency. Before his injury last year, Dell had a 51-667-3 line on 81 targets for Houston.