At 6-foot-2, Hutchinson adds another big frame to a Texans wide receiver corps that boasts primarily slot-type receivers outside of Nico Collins. He also has experience playing outside WR after spending over 70% of his snaps there in 2022. Hutchinson will have to prove that he can create separation working against NFL cornerbacks on the outside, but if he can develop fast, he'll have a good opportunity to earn snaps in an offense that seems likely to operate run-first with a heavy emphasis on play-action passing. If that's your offensive style, would you rather get a 6-2, 207-pound receiver like Hutchinson on the field to seal the edge in the run game or a 5-foot-7 receiver like Tank Dell? If the Texans settle on the former, Hutchinson will find snaps. He's more of a deep stash in Dynasty leagues or deep redraft leagues at this point. In rookie-only drafts, Hutchinson is a late fourth-round pick.
Hutchinson (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Broncos.
Hutchinson will be the odd man out with Noah Brown returning from a knee injury. The rookie receiver saw 13 snaps in each of the last two weeks, catching his only target for a 34-yard gain in Week 12. His next opportunity to suit up will be in Week 14 against the Jets.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Has big play in loss
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Hutchinson caught his lone target for 34 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to Jacksonville in Week 12.
Hutchinson had the Texans' longest play, a 34-yard reception in the fourth quarter to set up a Nico Collins touchdown. The rookie has been more involved the last few weeks as wideouts further up the depth chart have dealt with injuries. He's on the lower end of the target pecking order, but given the surge of Houston's passing offense -- 367 yards per game, 10 touchdowns -- the last four weeks, Hutchinson could grab a few leftovers behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Keeps running
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Hutchinson did not catch his lone target and had one carry for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-27 win over the Bengals in Week 10.
Hutchinson has received an uptick in usage while injuries have hit Houston's wide receivers the last few weeks, but he's made a bigger name for himself as a runner. For the second consecutive week, Hutchinson was used as a rusher on the opponent's side of the field and lugged the ball inside the 20-yard line. Each drive ended in a Houston touchdown. As the Texans operate without lead back Dameon Pierce, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has involved wideouts in the running attack, including Hutchinson and Tank Dell. Hutchinson has four carries for 44 yards over the last four games.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Available Sunday
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Hutchinson (foot) is active ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers.
The rookie out of Iowa State was limited during Wednesday's practice, but he was able to log consecutive days of full participation both Thursday and Friday. Hutchinson has a chance to see an uptick in snaps on the Texans' offense with Robert Woods (foot) missing time.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Questionable after full practices
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Hutchinson (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Hutchinson practiced fully Thursday and Friday after being a limited participant Wednesday, so the rookie is more likely than not to suit up, especially with Houston ruling out another receiver in Robert Woods (foot). Though he played his second-most snaps on offense (12) of the season in the Texans' last game Week 6 versus the Saints, Hutchinson won't necessarily see his role expand coming out of a Week 7 bye. While the Texans will be without Woods, the team will be getting rookie wideout Tank Dell (concussion) back from a one-game absence, leaving Hutchinson no better than fourth in the pecking order at receiver.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Back to practicing in full
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Hutchinson (foot) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
After being limited at practice Wednesday, Hutchinson was able to get back up to full speed Thursday. He's on track to play Sunday at Carolina, and if Robert Woods (foot) is sidelined, Hutchinson could see a slight uptick in playing time in Week 8.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Could see more snaps Sunday
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Hutchinson may see added involvement in the passing game Sunday against the Saints with fellow rookie wideout Tank Dell (concussion) listed as questionable but not expected to play, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Meanwhile, Robert Woods (ribs) is listed as questionable but is expected to play, and Noah Brown (groin) was reinstated from injured reserve Saturday, so the Texans' receiver group is fairly healthy heading into Sunday, despite Dell's anticipated absence. Nico Collins and Woods will serve as the Texans' top two wideouts, but Hutchinson, Brown and John Metchie could all get opportunities to mix into three-receiver sets more than usual with Dell out of the mix. Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick out of Iowa State, has suited up in all five of the Texans' games to date but has drawn just two targets across 31 snaps on offense.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: No run on offense
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Hutchinson played special teams only in Sunday's 37-17 win over Jacksonville.
Hutchinson did not get on the field for the offense for the first time in three games. From comments made by head coach DeMeco Ryans during the preseason, the rookie is still developing consistency, so any impact he may have could come later this season.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Third on depth chart
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Hutchinson is listed third on the depth chart at one wide receiver position for Week 1 against Baltimore.
Hutchinson sits behind fellow 2023 draft pick Tank Dell and starter Nico Collins. The Iowa State product did not develop as quickly as Dell during the preseason, but the 6-foot-3 Hutchinson has the size to be an ideal red zone target.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Leads receivers in finale
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Hutchinson caught four of six targets for a team-high 48 yards in Houston's preseason finale against New Orleans on Sunday.
Hutchinson had moments during the preseason but needs to develop consistency. "That's all we ask for from Hutch is continue to get better, work hard," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston. "That's what he's been doing, and it showed. It was good to see it finally come to fruition." Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, earned a spot on the 53-man roster, as did fellow wideout draftee Tank Dell.
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Texans' Xavier Hutchinson: Added by Houston
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The Texans selected Hutchinson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 205th overall.
Hutchinson was projected to be a borderline Day 2 pick by many, so the Texans finally ended his slide. He was a target hog and very productive at Iowa State, highlighted by First Team All-American honors as a senior. Hutchinson doesn't pop off the page with athleticism which contributed to his fall, but he should have the chance to establish himself as a viable possession receiver as a pro.
