With last week's season-ending injury to Will Fuller V, the Texans will look to other options to fill the void left in his absence.

Through seven games, Fuller was second behind DeAndre Hopkins with 503 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Head coach Bill O'Brien expects Fuller's loss to be filled with a combination of players, from wide receivers to tight ends to running backs.

The Texans added rookie Vyncint Smith and Sammie Coates Jr. this offseason to their wide receiver group. Smith, an undrafted rookie out of Limestone, started in Week 1 at New England with Fuller out and could see more action heading into Houston's Week 9 matchup at Denver.

"I think it's a big opportunity," Smith said. "Have to be really focused, prove I can get the job done and make some big plays on Sunday."

Coates, who signed in free agency, has contributed mostly on special teams this season. In Week 4 against the Colts, the four-year veteran caught a 12-yard pass in overtime to set up the game-tying field goal. He appeared in 12 games with one start last season with the Cleveland Browns.

Rookie Keke Coutee, inactive in Week 8, is working his way back from a hamstring injury. Coutee could return to the lineup, but his status will depend on if he is able to practice this week.

With the trade deadline ending on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT, O'Brien did not rule out the possibility of signing another receiver to the roster.

"I think there's always a chance," O'Brien said. "I think Brian (Gaine) and his crew are working really hard and I know, probably just like every team in the league relative to the trade deadline, I'm sure – there's a lot of talking and not a lot of action, but you never know."

The (5-3) Texans will travel to Denver to face the (3-5) Broncos on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT on CBS and SportsRadio 610.