In a significant setback, the Houston Texans announced that star wide receiver Stefon Diggs will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL tear.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero broke the news following the Texans’ Week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, where Diggs sustained the injury.
“#Texans WR Stefon Diggs tore his ACL and is out for the season,” Pelissero reported on X, confirming the Texans’ worst fears for their top off-season acquisition.
This season-ending injury leaves Houston grappling with an already thin receiver roster.
The Texans had traded a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to acquire Diggs from the Buffalo Bills, expecting him to be a key contributor alongside rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
While Diggs agreed to a restructured contract with Houston upon arrival, he’s set to hit free agency this offseason.
In his abbreviated season with the Texans, Diggs made an immediate impact on the field, but the team will now have to press on without him.
With both Diggs sidelined and wide receiver Nico Collins on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, the Texans’ receiving corps will lean heavily on second-year player Tank Dell, veteran Robert Woods, and reserves Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III.
Houston may explore trade options before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline to bolster their offense, a move that could bring much-needed support for Stroud as the Texans aim to stay competitive.
The Texans will face the New York Jets in their Week 9 primetime matchup on Thursday Night Football.
Speaking of wide receivers, the Carolina Panthers have just traded Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Panthers will receive a fifth-round draft pick in exchange, along with sending a sixth-round pick to Baltimore.
With Carolina enduring a challenging season, rumors of a potential trade involving Johnson had been simmering, especially after he was notably sidelined in the team’s last game.
The decision to trade Johnson, a seasoned receiver, seemed increasingly likely as the Panthers’ struggles continued.
Although Baltimore was not initially considered a top contender for Johnson, their familiarity with the receiver -thanks to years of AFC North competition when Johnson was with the Pittsburgh Steelers – may have influenced the decision to acquire him.
Johnson, now 28, entered the NFL in 2019 as the No. 66 overall pick, drafted by the Steelers out of Toledo. He originally signed a four-year contract valued at $4.25 million, including a $1.13 million signing bonus.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Johnson signed a two-year, $36 million extension, a deal that set him up as one of the league’s more valuable wide receivers.
However, he found himself on the move again before the 2024 season, this time to Carolina in a trade for cornerback Donte Jackson and a draft pick swap.
This season, Johnson has logged 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns across seven games. His proven experience and skill set could give the Ravens a boost as they make their playoff push.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts have decided to bench second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Following a tough start to the season, Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision to start former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, who joined the Colts’ roster earlier this year.
Richardson’s demotion follows a poor performance against the Texans, where he completed just 10 of 32 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The outing continued a season-long struggle, with Richardson completing just 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions across six games.
It would be foolish to think that Richardson’s inexplicable and unprofessional move to pull himself out in the middle of Sunday’s game didn’t have something to do with Steichen’s decision.
It’s no secret that Richardson’s teammates and the NFL world as a whole was absolutely furious with his unprecedented move to tap out on Sunday.
The 39-year-old Flacco brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. He’ll also provide a shot of confidence to the Colts who are hungry to compete.
There had been plenty of rumblings that veteran players were upset that Richardson was starting over Flacco to begin with. Most people feel Flacco undoubtedly gives Indianapolis the best chance to win.
Now, Flacco will have his chance to prove his supporters right.
The Colts, currently at 4-4, are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
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