Texans wide receivers coach Larry Kirksey expects Dorin Dickerson to contribute on special teams and possibly in three- and four-wide sets.

Coach Gary Kubiak lamented Dickerson's lost offseason. The Texans love his size and speed, but it's clear that he needs plenty of route-running work, getting "in and out of his breaks." Kirksey believes Dickerson can be "at worst" the fourth or fifth receiver, but "he's got to grow up now." Keep tabs on the converted tight end in Dynasty formats, but he's highly unlikely to make a fantasy impact in 2011.

The Texans are reportedly "excited about the development" of rising second-year WR Dorin Dickerson.

Dickerson, who burned up the Combine as a tight end last year, moved to receiver in his first NFL season and played just 23 snaps of offense. The Texans apparently liked what they saw in practice, however, and Dickerson could be given a chance at the third wideout role if free agent Jacoby Jones departs.

Texans declared WR Dorin Dickerson, third QB Matt Leinart, CB Karl Paymah, LB Darryl Sharpton, DE Jesse Nading, TE Garrett Graham, DT Earl Mitchell, and OG Kasey Studdard inactive for Week 8.

Owen Daniels is active, as expected. Leinart has yet to pass Dan Orlovsky on the depth chart to be Matt Schaub's primary backup. Mitchell is banged up. Brian Cushing starts at middle linebacker, with Kevin Bentley at SAM.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak says he believes seventh-round pick Dorin Dickerson "has got the body and the tools to be a (number) one or two (receiver) in this league."

"(But) he's got a long way to go," Kubiak conceded. The Texans are high on Dickeron's natural gifts, but he's going to have to excel as a special teams gunner to make the final roster. He'll be no better than a No. 5 receiver.

Texans agreed to terms with seventh-round WR Dorin Dickerson on a four-year, $1.84 million contract.

The athletic Dickerson played a H-back/tight end role at Pitt, but the Texans have immediately converted him to wide receiver. With a 6'2/226 frame and 4.4 speed, he's well-worth the development project. Look for Dickerson to land on the practice squad as a rookie.

Texans coaches have asked seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson to drop 10 more pounds before training camp.

Dickerson has already gone from 238 pounds to 230 as he transitions to receiver. "His conditioning level is not good enough to play at our level right now," said coach Gary Kubiak. "I don't think that's his fault." Dickerson will be limited to special teams if he finds his way onto the roster as a rookie.

Coach Gary Kubiak considers seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson a "project" as he transitions from tight end to receiver in Houston.

Don't expect to see him in action any time soon. He'll spend the summer shadowing Andre Johnson, and Kubiak believes Dickerson "has a chance" to help on special teams. More likely, he's ticketed for the practice squad while he picks up his fourth position since entering Pitt.

Coach Gary Kubiak plans to convert seventh-round TE Dorin Dickerson to receiver.

It's an experiment well worth a seventh-round pick. Dickerson (6'2/226) is similar in size to Andre Johnson (6'3/223), and Kubiak wants the rookie learning behind the All Pro at the same position. Dickerson played some receiver in college, and he certainly showed the athleticism to pull off the switch.

Texans selected Pittsburgh TE Dorin Dickerson with the No. 227 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Dickerson led the Panthers in touchdowns last year and caught nearly 50 passes, it isn't like he fell due to "workout wonder" concerns after tearing up the Combine. He was productive. Teams just must have felt that at 6'1/226, he was too much of a 'tweener to use more than a seventh-round pick on. Houston is stacked at tight end, so he may be asked to slim down and focus on playing the slot. Dickerson can also run down kickoffs.