Cade Stover, Houston Texans
Getty
Cade Stover #87 of the Houston Texans the field before facing the Carolina Panthers.
The Houston Texans lost more than just a game against the Los Angeles Rams in their regular-season opener. They also lost another starter to injury, tight end Cade Stover.
That is in addition to center Jake Andrews, who was carted off the field with a foot injury, and the Texans entering the game without Joe Mixon or Tank Dell. The Texans will be able to withstand some of those potential losses better than others.
They need Stover to be among them.
Texans Lose Another TE as Cade Stover Suffers Foot Injury
Cade Stover, Houston Texans
GettyCade Stover #87 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
“Texans starting tight end Cade Stover broke his foot Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams during their final offensive series, per league sources,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on September 8. “Stover is out indefinitely.”
Woody Marks on a nifty split zone run today picking up seven yards after contact.
Credit to the blocking up front and a devastating cut block by the H-back, Cade Stover. pic.twitter.com/uOu8c5pDiq
— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) August 16, 2025
Stover was the No. 123 overall pick of the 2024 draft by the Texans, and he had four receptions for 22 yards in the season-opening loss to the Rams.
With him down, the Texans must turn to some of their other options.
Cade Stover Looked Improved Early
Cade Stover, Houston Texans
GettyCade Stover #87 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
The news is especially tough for Stover, who Wilson noted looked to have taken a meaningful step in his development for his second NFL season. Stover was well on his way to surpassing his rookie season numbers in Year 2 before suffering the injury.
“The 6-foot-4, 251-pound former All-Big Ten Conference selection caught 15 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown as a rookie in 15 games and nine starts. He was targeted 22 times overall and had five first downs and a long reception of 27 yards,” Wilson wrote. “When the Texans drafted Stover last year, the enthusiasm from [general manager Nick] Caserio and coach [DeMeco] Ryans was obvious.
“The work ethic and passion for the game Stover possesses prompted the Texans to draft the Ohio native.”
Losing Stover, for however long, will have a ripple effect on the Texans’ roster plans.
Without him, they might need to turn to their deeper reserves or else explore options in free agency or the trade market.
Texans Need TE Help Amid Injury Woes
The Texans were already thin at TE before losing Stover, with Brevin Jordan and Irv Smith Jr. on injured reserve. They also waived 2023 New England Patriots third-rounder Dalton Keene in August.
That will force the Texans’ hand.
“With Cade Stover out indefinitely with a broken foot, #Texans will need reinforcements at tight end. They went with just two tight ends against #Rams,” Wilson posted on X on September 8. “Dalton Schultz and Stover. Harrison Bryant is an experienced practice squad player acquired in John Metchie III trade from #Eagles, plus they have rookie Luke Lachey on practice squad.”
Schultz gained 28 yards on three receptions, drawing the start opposite Stover in the Texans’ 12-personnel look.
Bryant was a fourth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and has a 98-877-10 line for his career. Lachey has yet to appear in a regular-season game after entering the league as an undrafted free agent this past offseason.
Up next for the Texans after losing Stover is the home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat their NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers, in Week 1.