The Houston Texans earned a comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10, and they have several players whose statuses are under close watch ahead of Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, including tight end Cade Stover.
Stover has been out since the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
However, new intel indicates he is nearing a return, and that the Texans are prepared to get him back on the field as soon as possible.
Texans TE Cade Stover Returning From Injured Reserve
GettyCade Stover #87 of the Houston Texans the field before facing the Carolina Panthers.
“#Texans expected to designate tight end Cade Stover for return as soon as this week, per a league source,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on November 10. “Sound recovery from broken foot, surgery.”
The Texans will have 21 days to decide if Stover will be activated off IR. He was off to an encouraging start, with four grabs for 22 yards on four looks in the Texans’ Week 1 loss.
The team has cycled through multiple tight ends opposite Dalton Schultz this season.
Stover was the team’s projected second starter at tight end entering the season, though. That underscores the significance of his return as the Texans look to continue rebuilding their chances of making the postseason.
The Texans have former Cleveland Browns fourth-round pick (2020) Harrison Bryant on the 53-man roster.
Texans fifth-rounder (2021) Brevin Jordan remains on IR with a knee injury.
They have also cut Irv Smith Jr. due to injury, cut Dalton Keene from the practice squad, and briefly brought in former Los Angeles Chargers 2021 third-round draft pick Tre’ McKitty, underscoring the extent of their woes.
Stover’s return could be a boost to the Texans, who have the NFL’s 19th-ranked scoring offense, which also ranks 15th overall.
It would certainly be a welcome reversal of an ominous trend.
The Texans entered the 2025 season eyeing their third straight AFC South title, which would mark a first in franchise history. However, injuries like Stover’s have been commonplace and derailed the Texans early.
Texans Injury Issues an Underlying Theme to 2025 Season
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans waits to take the field against the Baltimore Ravens.
They entered the campaign without starting running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Tank Dell, both of whom remain sidelined indefinitely.
They have seen newcomers like Christian Kirk miss time.
The Texans have also had some of their moves, like trading for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, fail to pan out. Meanwhile, others, such as their offensive line shuffle, have taken time to show signs of the intended plan. Even then, injuries have created the need for more changes.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud missed the Texans’ Week 10 win over the Jaguars, giving way to Davis Mills in a thrilling comeback.
The Texans lost Gardner-Johnson’s replacement, M.J. Stewart, for the season in Week 10.
Stewart suffered a torn quadriceps muscle against the Jaguars. He had to be carted off the field with a cast and underwent surgery to repair the issue. The Texans also remain without veteran safety Jimmie Ward, who is on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with Dell.
With eight games to go, the Texans have plenty of time to right the ship, especially if Stover’s return is the start of a trend.
Their biggest concern is whether or not they have dug themselves into too deep a hole already.
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