DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans will officially be shorthanded for their Week 7 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on “Monday Night Football,” officially ruling veteran wide receiver and 2025 offseason trade acquisition Christian Kirk out.
Kirk battled a hamstring issue during the offseason, missed the first two games of the regular season, and reaggravated the injury in practice this week, appearing on Friday’s injury report.
It is a continuation of a troubling pattern for the veteran wide receiver.
Texans WR Christian Kirk Continues Ominous Trend
GettyChristian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans looks on before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans traded a seventh-round pick in the 2026 draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Kirk this past offseason. Originally a second-round pick (No. 47 overall) of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, Kirk is on an expiring four-year, $72 million contract with $63.6 million in career earnings.
However, injuries have been a constant challenge.
He missed multiple games in five of his seven previous seasons in the NFL. The last time he played a full regular-season slate, which is no longer possible this season, was in 2022.
“The more than two weeks of separation from their last game has the Houston Texans remarkably healthy heading into their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. However, a development this week has them without a top pass catcher for the pivotal game,” the Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren wrote on October 18.
“Kirk returned from the team’s week off seemingly refreshed and healthy, as he practiced in full Thursday. But he appeared to injure the hamstring Friday after being limited in practice. The injury then kept him out of Saturday’s final session before leaving for the Pacific Northwest.”
Warren noted that no other active Texans players have an injury designation.
Still, Kirk’s absence looms large for the Texans, who rank 22nd in scoring offense and 20th overall on the season.
Christian Kirk’s Absence Bodes Well for Rookie Teammate
GettyJaylin Noel #14 of the Houston Texans reacts after a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Texans are expected to rely on a combination of players to replace Kirk opposite top target Nico Collins. But Kirk’s absence bodes well for one of his teammates in particular, and that is rookie third-round pick Jaylin Noel.
Kirk’s fellow veteran wideout and offseason addition, Braxton Berrios, could also benefit.
“The Texans will lean on Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to complement Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on October 18. “Noel is expected to be the primary slot with Kirk out. Braxton Berrios has been a healthy scratch this season since returning from a preseason hamstring injury, but could be active with Kirk out.”
Kirk’s absence is a blow to the Texans’ offense, which ranks 21st in the passing game entering the contest.
Texans Have Offensive Opportunity vs Leaky Seahawks Secondary
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans adjusts a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Seahawks’ passing defense ranks 24th, so it remains a potential explosive opportunity for the Texans. However, they will need their other receivers to step up more than they did during their season-opening three-game losing streak.
Seattle’s offense ranks fifth in scoring and 10th overall.
The Texans’ defense is the top-ranked scoring unit and fourth-best overall after “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7.
However, C.J. Stroud could be forced to do the heavy lifting against the No. 6 scoring and 13th-ranked Seahawks defense, which ranks second against the run. Stroud’s job is that much more challenging without Kirk in the lineup.
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