Houston Texans bolster receiving corps with veteran signings after Higgins injury

The Houston Texans have moved to reinforce their receiving unit by reportedly signing veteran wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones on Friday. The dual acquisition comes on the same day the franchise placed second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins on season-ending injured reserve. Higgins suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during Tuesday’s practice, effectively ending his campaign before it began.

Shepard, who is entering his 10th NFL season, will be joining his third team. He spent the previous two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the eight seasons prior to that with the New York Giants. His career peak arrived in his third season, when he recorded 66 catches for 872 yards and four touchdowns.

Jones, entering his ninth season, will be joining his fifth franchise. He spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. His most productive year came in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, an AFC South rival of Houston, where he posted 82 catches for 823 yards and five touchdowns.

The signings add depth to a roster that already features Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson. However, the addition of experienced hands is particularly timely given that both Dell and Noel are currently working through their own injuries.

Higgins, selected with the second pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, was viewed as a candidate for a second-year breakout. In his rookie season, he accumulated 525 yards and six touchdowns. Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley had praised the player’s development, noting that Higgins was playing clean and had no limitations.

With Higgins out of the equation, the Texans will rely on Shepard and Jones to provide immediate stability while their younger players recover. The move underscores the team’s strategy to maintain competitive depth at a critical position heading into the 2026 season.