LOS ANGELES – Texans starting tight end Cade Stover broke his foot Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams during their final offensive series, per league sources.
Stover is out indefinitely. There is some optimism that he could return at some point later this season with a final timetable still being determined.
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And starting center Jake Andrews, who limped off the field Sunday before being carted to the locker room, suffered a high-ankle sprain, per sources, with his recovery time unclear. Former starting center Jarrett Patterson, who filled in Sunday for 18 snaps after Andrews got hurt, is expected to be the replacement for the foreseeable future.
It’s another setback for a tight end group that previously lost Brevin Jordan for the second year in a row to a season-ending knee injury.
The Texans were already shorthanded on the offensive line with starting right guard Ed Ingram missing the opener with an abdomen injury, triggering a line shuffle.
Stover, a fourth-round draft pick last year from Ohio State and a former Big Ten Conference Tight End of the year, caught a team-high four passes for 22 yards on four targets against the Rams. He’s also a highly regarded, gritty blocker.
The Texans do have two practice squad tight ends, including Harrison Bryant, who was originally acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for John Metchie III, and rookie Luke Lachey, a seventh-round draft pick from Iowa. They had only two tight ends active for the Rams game: Stover and veteran starter Dalton Schultz as they opened the game in a 12 personnel grouping, two tight ends and one running back, Nick Chubb.
Stover, 24, had emerged as a serious factor in the Texans’ offense.
A converted defensive player with the Buckeyes who hung out with the the so-called meatheads on defense even after moving to the other side of the football, Stover looked more explosive, quicker and confident in his movements at training camp. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Stover is one of the most improved players on the team.
“Would be hard for us to do find a player that’s improved as much as Cade in the offseason,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the start of camp. “Really took advantage of his opportunities. Always has the right mentality and the right approach and mindset. We’re glad he’s here, and looking forward to potentially what he can bring to our football team.”
Stover overcame an emergency appendectomy last season in December and offseason shoulder surgery to get back on the field.
“He’s tough,” Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “You turn on the tape, you guys have all seen it. He plays with his hair on fire. There is no substitute for that. I appreciate the way he plays the game. I’ve had a lot of respect for him dating back to his days at Ohio State.”
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.
When the Texans drafted Stover last year, the enthusiasm from Caserio and coach Ryans was obvious.
The work ethic and passion for the game Stover possesses prompted the Texans to draft the Ohio native.
“Whatever it is, it’s elite,” Caserio said of Stover. “This guy is as tough, hard-nosed a player they had in the program. This is probably one of our favorite football players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality, because of his mindset. And he still is developing as a player. Blue-collar as they come. Makeup, traits, toughness, mentality, this is an elite guy.”
Signed to a four-year, $4.758 million deal that includes a $1.189 million signing bonus, Stover was acquired after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Texans traded their 127th overall pick of the fourth round and a 2025 fifth-round pick to select Stover 123rd overall.
He caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns last season. He was a finalist for the John Mackey award. He’s a converted defensive end and linebacker.
“I kind of still see the game through a defensive lens,” Stover said. “I was born with that, I keep that defensive mentality no matter where I’m at. I just try to play offense with that same mentality and recklessness. I love blocking. I’m going to throw my face in the fire every chance I get.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com