Is Hunter Henry playing today? Why Patriots TE is off to slow start vs. Texans

Sun Jan 18 22:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Hunter Henry’s Slow Start Raises Concerns for Patriots in Divisional Round

The Story:
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, a key component in quarterback Drake Maye’s development, is off to a slow start in the divisional round game against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Despite being active and healthy, and targeted on the Patriots’ first two drives, Henry has yet to connect with Maye. With limited offensive opportunities in the early stages of the game, concerns are emerging about Henry’s impact on the game.

Key Points:

• Hunter Henry is active and healthy for the game against the Houston Texans.
• Henry has been targeted on the first two drives but has not yet connected with quarterback Drake Maye.
• The Patriots’ offense has only run nine plays across two drives, limiting Henry’s opportunities.
• Henry posted a career-best 768 yards in 2025, highlighting his importance to the offense.

Critical Analysis:

The limited historical context suggests that Henry played through a knee injury on January 18, 2026. It is possible that this lingering knee issue could be a contributing factor to his slow start against the Texans. While the article states he is currently healthy, past injuries can sometimes affect performance even after recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Hunter Henry’s slow start is a cause for concern given his importance to the Patriots’ offense.
• Limited offensive opportunities are partially to blame, but Henry needs to capitalize when targeted.
• His previous knee injury could be a potential factor affecting his performance.
• The Patriots’ offensive strategy will likely adjust to better utilize Henry if he remains a focal point.

Impact Analysis:

If Henry continues to struggle, it could significantly impact the Patriots’ offensive capabilities in the playoffs. The Patriots may need to rely more on other receiving options. Furthermore, Henry’s performance in this game and the remainder of the playoffs could influence contract negotiations in the future and the Patriots’ long-term offensive strategy.

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