Houston Texans sideline Jayden Higgins for season after ACL tear

The Houston Texans have placed wide receiver Jayden Higgins on injured reserve, effectively ending his 2026 season. The team announced the move on Friday, confirming that the 23-year-old will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Higgins sustained the injury on Tuesday during a joint practice session with the Las Vegas Raiders. According to reports, the 2025 second-round pick landed awkwardly in the end zone while participating in an 11-on-11 red zone drill. This marks the second season in which Higgins has been sidelined by a torn ACL.

In his rookie campaign, Higgins established himself as a key contributor, starting 10 games and recording 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was projected to start opposite Nico Collins for the upcoming season, a pairing that was expected to anchor the Texans' passing attack.

With Higgins out of the equation, the Texans' offensive hierarchy is set to undergo significant changes. Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell, and Jaylin Noel are now expected to assume more prominent roles within the offence. This shift places immediate pressure on these players to step up and provide reliable production for the coaching staff.

The adjustment comes at a critical time, as both Dell and Noel are currently working their way back from their own injuries. The Texans will need to manage their return timelines carefully to ensure sufficient depth and competitiveness as the season progresses.

The move reflects the fragility of the NFL's injury landscape, where a single practice session can alter a team's strategic outlook for an entire year. For Houston, the focus now shifts to integrating their remaining wide receivers and adapting their game plan to accommodate the loss of a young, promising talent.