Texans lose Dalton Schultz to a calf injury during injury-riddled first half vs. Patriots
The Houston Texans came into Sunday's game against the New England Patriots without their best offensive player. Before halftime, the team lost another important member of the offense ... and had numerous other injury scares.
Tight end Dalton Schultz left the divisional round game due to injury. Schultz sustained a calf injury near the end of the first quarter. It appeared to be a non-contact injury for the 29-year-old, who grabbed at his calf after prematurely slowing down while running a passing route.
After being evaluated, it was determined Schultz would not return to the contest.
Schultz wasn't the only member of the Texans' offense who got banged up in the first half. The team briefly lost running back Woody Marks and offensive lineman Tytus Howard with injuries.
Marks went down with an injury in the second quarter. Marks got a lot of use early, carrying the ball eight times and securing one catch before the end of the second quarter, but may have been injured while making a tackle after Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception.
Stroud attempted to hit Xavier Hutchinson with a pass over the middle to try and make it 3rd and short. The ball hit Hutchinson in the hands and bounced into the arms of Patriots defender Craig Woodson, who slid to the ground, got up and attempted to advance the ball.
Texans running back Woody Marks INJURED his shoulder on this play
- BettrNation (@BettrNation) January 18, 2026
He CRUSHED Craig Woodson after the interception pic.twitter.com/csosa0Hh7j
Woodson was able to gain a few yards back before he was hit hard by Marks, who made the tackle.
Shortly after the play, Marks was spotted being looked at by trainers on the sidelined. He was initially deemed questionable to return with a shoulder injury. By the time the Texans' next offensive drive started, Marks was back on the field.
Howard was also spotted receiving medical attention on the sideline. He was never officially given an injury designation and was able to return to the contest.
This story will be updated.