Justin Watson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Texans wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion) didn't practice all week and has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots. Watson suffered a concussion in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Texans advance to the AFC Championship next weekend, Watson won't be guaranteed to be ready to return. In addition to Watson being out, the Texans will also be without top receiver Nico Collins, who also suffered a concussion on Monday against the Steelers. Rookie Jayden Higgins and Christian Kirk, who had 144 receiving yards on Monday, should be the team's top two receivers, with rookie Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson also having elevated roles on offense.

Houston Texans wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday, according to the team. Watson suffered a concussion in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and wasn't able to return. The 29-year-old is in the league's concussion protocol and is trending as unlikely to play this Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the New England Patriots. Top wideout Nico Collins (concussion) is in the same boat as Watson and hasn't practiced this week. It means the Texans' receiving corps will most likely be short-handed this weekend, with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson all seeing bigger roles. Tight end Dalton Schultz will also have a higher fantasy ceiling with more targets available. Even when fully healthy, Watson is too far down the WR depth chart to matter for fantasy purposes.

Houston Texans wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion) was unable to practice with the team on Wednesday after suffering a concussion in Monday night's Wild-Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. On a short week, Watson should probably be considered doubtful to be available in the Divisional Round on Sunday against the hosting New England Patriots. The 29-year-old pass-catcher only played in three games in 2025 in his first year in Houston due to injuries, catching three of four targets for 30 yards. Watson wasn't targeted on Monday night before his head injury. In addition to Watson, Texans' top wideout Nico Collins is in the league's concussion protocol and therefore up in the air to play on Sunday. If both Watson and Collins cannot play, there would be more opportunities in the passing game for rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson.