Houston Texans

Houston Texans beat writer Sarah Barshop believes RB D'Onta Foreman could challenge Lamar Miller for the starting job in 2018. "If Foreman is healthy in 2018, he could further dip into Miller’s workload and cement himself as the Texans’ top back," Barshop said via ESPN. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: With Lamar Miller coming off of a regression in 2017 -- he averaged a career-low 3.7 YPC -- the door is open for Foreman to step in and compete for the starting job at running back. However, in the midst of his most impressive performance of the year in Week 11 against the Cardinals in which he totaled 80 yards and two TDs on 13 touches, Foreman suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. One could make the case that if Foreman never suffered his injury, he would have overtaken Miller for the top spot on the depth chart. But that's not that case and I'm not sure Foreman showcased enough to outset the veteran just yet. While I expect both rushers to be heavily involved in the Texans' backfield in 2018, I fully believe the opportunities will shift more so in Foreman's favor, further diminishing Miller's fantasy stock.

Houston Texans beat writer Sarah Barshop believes the team "could" release RB Lamar Miller this offseason. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Miller, who is entering year three of the four-year deal he signed with the Texans in the 2016 offseason, could be on his way out of Houston. Barshop believes the team could move on from Miller following a lackluster 2017 campaign in which he accounted for his worst statistical season since 2015 while he was still in Miami. Rushing 238 times for 888 yards and three touchdowns -- he averaged a career-low 3.7 YPC -- while putting up a 36-327-3 stat line as a receiver out of the backfield, Miller finished as the RB14 in standard fantasy formats. However, despite the top 15 finish, the then-rookie D'Onta Foreman was pushing Miller for touches until he ultimately found himself on the season-ending injured reserve list with an Achilles. While I do expect the Texans to retain Miller, I'm anticipating that the RB touches will shift more so in Foreman's direction.

Houston Texans beat writer John McClain is reporting the team informed LB Brian Cushing that he’ll be released prior to the start of the new league year. (Source: John McClain on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: By the time the new league year begins on March 14, Cushing will be released, the Texans informed the troubled linebacker Sunday. And after being suspended for 10 games in the 2017 season following his second violation of the league’s PED policy, plus, a checkered injury history, the move makes sense, especially from a salary cap standpoint — by moving on from Cushing, Houston will save $7.64 million against the cap. The Texans’ all-time leader in tackles, Cushing should have no trouble finding a new club for 2018.

Houston Texans beat writer John McClain is reporting TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (concussion) "may retire" this offseason. (Source: John McClain on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fiedorowicz, who suffered four concussions since December 2016 -- his latest occurring in Week 13 of the 2017 season -- is considering retiring from the league this offseason as a result of his recurring head injuries. However, although his career is hanging up in the air, the 26-year-old tight end told the press that he plans on reporting for offseason activities and taking part in OTAs. In five games last season, Fiedorowicz only accumulated a 14-127-00 stat line.

Stephen Anderson caught one of two targets for four yards on Sunday against the Colts.

Fantasy Impact: Anderson was largely non-existent down the stretch after a brief run of fantasy-relevancy. With C.J. Fiedorowicz back healthy next year, Anderson won't be under consideration in fantasy leagues.

Will Fuller caught both of his targets for 17 yards on Sunday against the Colts.

Fantasy Impact: Fuller was dynamic with Deshaun Watson, but unfortunately battled injuries throughout the year. If fully healthy next season, he should be an outstanding option with Watson under center for the full year.

Alfred Blue rushed 18 times for 39 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions for 36 yards on Sunday against the Colts.

Fantasy Impact: Blue saw more work than Lamar Miller once again, as the Texans looked to protect Miller for the future. With both Miller and D'Onta Foreman locked and loaded for the future, Blue, an unrestricted free agent, should find himself elsewhere in 2018.

T.J. Yates was unable to get the offence moving in a divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Completing 14 passes from 24 throws for 137 yards and an interception.

Fantasy Impact: Its worth noting that the top target for the Texans (Hopkins) wasn't in the game, but given that rookie QB Deshaun Watson will be leading the offence on returning from injury, Yates will have very low upside for next year

According to the Associated Press, Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (calf) is officially ruled out for Week 17. (Source: AP)

Fantasy Impact: Expected to be a game-time decision, Hopkins will miss his first career game in Sunday's season finale against the Colts with a calf injury. In his absence, expect the Texans' passing game to facilitate through Braxton Miller and Will Fuller. However, even in a plus matchup versus Indianapolis, I'm not trusting any Houston receiving option in Week 17.

Dre Hal recorded seven total tackles (five solo) in the Texans' loss to the Steelers

Fantasy Impact: Hal had a positive ending to the fantasy season, surpassing five tackles for the third time this season.

Zach Cunningham recorded 10 total tackles (seven solo) in the Texans' loss to the Steelers.

Fantasy Impact: Cunningham ended the fantasy season on a high note, reaching double-digit tackles for the first time in 2017.

The Houston Texans D/ST failed to generate any turnovers and didn’t record a sack while allowing 34 points in their blowout Christmas day loss to the Steelers.

Fantasy Impact: Another week another bad game for the Houston D/ST. This is now six consecutive games for the Texans D/ST where they have provided little to nothing. Injuries completely drained this team’s defensive firepower over the course of the season and turned a once potential top D/ST unit into a unit that should be left off rosters for any championship rounds in Week 17.

Andre Ellington had zero rushing attempts and was not involved in the passing game in the Texans’ loss to the Steelers.

Fantasy Impact: Andre Ellington was brought in to give the Texans some much needed backfield depth when rookie back D’Onta Foreman suffered a season ending injury. Ellington played a role as receiver and as a pass catching back in Week 13 and 14, but has not been involved in either of the past two weeks. Whatever happened to Ellington is anyone’s guess, but he is clearly not in Houston’s plans at this point.

Marcus Gilchrist recorded six total tackles (five solo) in the Texans' loss to the Jaguars

Fantasy Impact: Gilchrist has back-to-back six tackle efforts, but unfortunately doesn't hold much fantasy value.

Tom Savage had to leave the game early against the San Francisco 49ers, before he left the game he completed 6 passes for 63 yards from 12 attempts.

Fantasy Impact: Given the severity of the injury, Savage is a doubt for Week 15.

Ka'imi Fairbairn made one of his two field goal attempts as well as one of his two extra point attempts. His lone successful field goal came from 55 yards out.

Fantasy Impact: It looked like Fairbairn may have shaken off the rust from previous weeks after he nailed his career long 55 yard field goal in the first quarter. This was quickly wiped out as he missed his next field goal attempt, as well as the first extra point attempt. Fairbairn is not a recommended fantasy option as the Texans offense is not putting up a ton of points and he has not been very consistent as well.

Johnathan Joseph recorded four total tackles before exiting with a shoulder injury against the Titans. Joseph considers himself day-to-day and "Hopes to play against the 49ers" in Week 14.

Fantasy Impact: Joseph obviously isn't a doctor, but there is reason for optimism. Keep an eye on the Texans' injury report through the week.

Braxton Miller was forced to leave the Texans Week 13 loss early as he suffered a concussion. He hauled in 4 catches for 71 yards prior to his injury.

Fantasy Impact: Braxton Miller had been a non-factor for the Texans offense all year long. He can safely be kept on the waiver wire as he recovers from his concussion.

Bruce Ellington caught 1 pass on his lone target for seven yards in the Texans Week 13 loss to the Titans. He also suffered a hamstring injury on this catch and was forced to leave the game.

Fantasy Impact: Ellington was hurt on his only catch of the game. He was not on many fantasy radars to begin with, but this will safely keep him off.

Benardrick McKinney recorded a sack on seven total tackles in the Texans' loss to the Titans.

Fantasy Impact: McKinney recorded his first sack since recording two in Week 2. McKinney remains a solid waiver wire option.