The Houston Texans are coming off a tough road loss in Week 1 to the Los Angeles Rams. Houston not only suffered an L on the scoreboard, but also lost one of their starters on offense to injury, as second-year tight end Cade Stover suffered a broken foot after opening the game with 4 receptions for 22 yards on 4 targets.
With Stover injured, it leaves veteran Dalton Schultz as the only healthy tight end on Houston’s 53-man roster. The Texans will need to either add outside help or make a practice squad elevation to replace Stover. Fortunately, it seemed like a reunion with a familiar face was an easy and obvious move. Reports emerged on Tuesday, however, that Houston won't be making the obvious move by signing Jordan Akins, per KRPC-2's Aaron Wilson. That could be a big mistake.
Texans Dropping the Ball by Not Bringing Back Jordan Akins
On the surface, this seems like a huge mistake by the Texans, passing on a proven veteran and putting all their eggs in the basket of calling up Harrison Bryant from the practice squad.
Bryant, who was acquired in the John Metchie III trade last month, has shown early in his NFL career that he could be an adequate TE2. The veteran has solid receiving skills and is a good blocker, which could help the Texans’ offensive line and running game.
However, when you look at his numbers, Bryant isn’t an impactful pass catcher like Akins. His season-high in receiving yards was just 239 on 31 catches and a TD in 2022. And did we mention that Bryant was a TE3 last year with the Raiders?
Meanwhile, Akins has had three seasons with at least 400-plus yards in Houston, despite not being the most athletic tight end.
Last season with the Cleveland Browns, Akins proved to be a reliable safety valve for the QB, as Cleveland didn’t have Njoku for bits and pieces of the 2024 campaign. The free agent tight end posted 40 receptions (career-high) [58 targets] for 390 yards and two touchdowns.
Even though Akins is currently 33 years old, Texans fans won't be quick to overlook that track record of production. If Schultz were to get banged up as well, Akins would also still provide an adequate TE1 option as a veteran who has started at least five games in four out of seven seasons.
Things have changed since the last time Akins put on a Texans uniform (2022). However, his skillset as a pass catcher and big target for the QB hasn’t. Houston better hope that Bryant pans and Akins doesn’t get picked up in the meantime.