In a critical blow to the Houston Texans’ offense during their 2026 AFC Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots, veteran tight end Dalton Schultz has been ruled out of the remainder of the game due to a calf injury, the team confirmed via its official injury report on social media Sunday.
Schultz, who entered the postseason as one of C.J. Stroud’s most reliable targets, left the field early in the first quarter after suffering what appeared to be a significant calf issue against New England. Shortly after exiting to the locker room with Texans medical staff, the team announced that the former Stanford standout would not return to the contest, officially downgrading him to “out.”
Prior to the injury, Schultz had managed two receptions for 47 yards, continuing his role as a key piece in Houston’s passing attack during the 2025 regular season, when he led the team with 82 catches for 777 yards and three touchdowns.
Impact on Texans’ Playoff Hopes
Schultz’s exit compounds Houston’s postseason offensive struggles, with the team already without star wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) coming into the game, after Collins was ruled out earlier in the week. The loss of two of the Texans’ most productive pass-catchers has limited C.J. Stroud’s options against a stingy Patriots defense and could signal challenges ahead if Houston hopes to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
What’s Next for Schultz?
While initial reports confirm that Schultz will miss the remainder of Sunday’s game, the Texans are expected to conduct further evaluations in the coming days to determine the severity of the calf injury and potential playoff availability. With the winner of Sunday’s matchup set to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, Schultz’s status will be a critical storyline for Texans fans and many more.
As the injury situation develops, updates will be added to keep readers informed on Schultz’s recovery timeline and how the Texans plan to adjust their offense in his absence.
Stay tuned to SICscore.com for the latest updates on Schultz's recovery timeline, Texans injury news, and AFC Championship projections.
Want to know who to bet?
👉 Try our proven winning ratings, projections and picks cashing at 76% on 3-Star Spreads this season.
Our SIC Picks subscribers cashed in on another profitable NFL season.
+32 units on NFL pregame spreads, a $100 bettor is up $3,200!
To celebrate, we’re offering our lowest annual price of the year and only 50 places remain!
Save $100 on Annual SIC Picks
Just $1.10 per day
Use code: PROFIT2500
Your subscription includes:
NFL Playoffs + 2026 NFL season
College Basketball (+28 units this season), NBA & WNBA
Soccer World Cup coverage
2026 College Football
This is the best value we offer all year - and it won’t last long.
WANT TO KNOW WHO TO BET ON THE NFL? - USE SIC PICKS FOR PROVEN WINNING PICKS CASHING AT OVER 56.5% ON SPREADS OVER SIX YEARS!
SIC PICKS ARE BASED ON INSIDER INJURY KNOWLEDGE FROM FORMER PRO SPORTS TEAM DOCTORS TO GIVE YOU A WINNING EDGE IN SPORTS BETTING!
SIC PICKS are powered by the proven SIC Score algorithms from our exclusive panel of former Pro Sports Team doctors to give you a sports betting edge. Each day our team of doctors analyze the players and teams and share their expert insights to help you make informed bets on the biggest unknown to sportsbooks and sports bettors - player health and injuries!
For our Best Bets including spreads, totals, props and live in game with instant alerts as game day opportunities arise with research notes, sign up to SIC Picks here for less than $2 a day on an annual plan.
Sign up to SIC Picks today to get our picks sent direct to your cell!
