The last time the Bucs and Texans met, it was a 39-37 shootout classic won by the Texans. This time, it shapes up as a grind. After a sloppy, penalty-riddled offensive showing in a 9-14 loss to the Rams, a performance QB C.J. Stroud bluntly called “lollygagging,”  the urgency to win and avoid the Chiefs’ (0-2) early-season stumble is palpable. Yet Stroud’s latest update on his tight end room only deepens the concern.

Sophomore tight end Cade Stover underwent successful surgery for a broken foot and is now on injured reserve, out indefinitely. The hope is a return later this season, but hope is a fragile thing in the NFL. As Ryans put it, “I really hate that. He’s playing tough, physical, exactly how we want it done.”

Stover led the team with a perfect catch rate in Week 1, hauling in all four passes thrown his way. His absence leaves a void that can’t be filled by just any player. It requires a specific kind of toughness, the kind General Manager Nick Caserio once described by saying, “This is probably one of our favorite football players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality, because of his mindset.”

That mentality was forged on the defensive side of the ball at Ohio State, and Stover never lost it. “I kind of still see the game through a defensive lens,” he admitted after being drafted. “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.” This is the specific, tangible value now missing from the huddle.

In response, the front office acted with the swiftness the situation demanded, promoting veteran tight end Harrison Bryant from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Bryant, a former Brown, is no stranger to Ryans, who noted at the time of his acquisition, “Seeing Harrison, he made some plays against us… He made a big play versus us. So you see a guy who’s very capable of making plays.” The Texans are betting on that capability, inking the 6-foot-5 target to a deal laced with $500K in incentives, a prove-it contract for a player they need to prove it now. This next-man-up challenge extends beyond the tight end room.

Ryans’ injury report shapes the stakes

The final injury report for the Monday Night Football showdown with the Buccaneers is a mixed bag. While offensive lineman Ed Ingram (abdomen), Blake Fisher (Ankle) is probable and trending upward, the receiving corps is still reeling. Both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are officially OUT, dealing with hamstring issues that will sideline them for a second consecutive week along with Jake Andrews, who’s been dealing with ankle issues.

The contrast between the two teams’ health is stark. While Houston deals with key absences, Tampa Bay’s report is headlined by the ominous listing of star tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) as OUT and receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) joining him on the sidelines. The stage at NRG Stadium is set.

The Buccaneers, despite a laundry list of injuries, are aiming for their fifth straight 2-0 beginning. Their resilience was on full display in Week 1, thanks to rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka’s stunning debut, where his last-minute heroics secured a win and announced a new playmaking threat for Baker Mayfield, with Evans probably retiring soon, too post the match? For the Texans, the challenge is internal.

How they respond will define their early trajectory. Stover’s journey, though from a defensive meathead to an offensive weapon, from an emergency appendectomy last December to offseason shoulder surgery, and now this, is one of relentless perseverance. His coaches see it.

OC Nick Caley remarked, “You turn on the tape, you guys have all seen it. He plays with his hair on fire. There is no substitute for that.” There truly isn’t. As they look to avoid a 0-2 hole, the message is clear: the time for lollygagging is over. The lights are on, and it’s time to show up and prove the odds wrong.