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Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Dealing with leg injury, should be OK
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 11:40 AM
In reference to Higgins, who appeared to sustain a leg injury during Tuesday's practice, QB C.J. Stroud noted afterward, "I think he'll be fine," Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: That's more context than was offered by coach DeMeco Ryans, who didn't provide an immediate update on the wideout's status. While Stroud's comment regarding one of his key targets is encouraging, Higgins' availability will still need to be tracked in the coming days. In any case, he seems unlikely to see action in Thursday's preseason contest against the Raiders. |
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Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Exits practice with potential injury
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 10:32 AM
Higgins needed help getting up after he was shaken up during Tuesday's practice, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: On the plus side, Bien-Aime notes that Higgins walked off on his own power. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Higgins subsequently headed off the field to get checked out by team medical personnel. Afterward, coach DeMeco Ryans noted that he didn't have an immediate update on the wideout, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Until added context is provided, consider Higgins day-to-day as Thursday's preseason contest against the Raiders approaches. |
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Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Unexpectedly returns to practice Tuesday
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 9:44 AM
Noel (hamstring) was spotted in full pads and a red no-contact uniform for Tuesday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Noel's presence on the field comes as a surprise, after Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported Sunday that the wideout would likely be sidelined "a few weeks" after he recently tweaked his hamstring. The second-year wideout is still unlikely to take part in team drills Tuesday, but even going through warmups and individual drills would represent a notable step forward in the recovery process. Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins are locked in as the top two receivers on the depth chart, but Noel could have a chance at securing the No. 3 role over the likes of Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell (knee) if he can quickly bounce back from the hamstring injury. |
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Joins Houston
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 8:00 PM
Hall signed with the Texans on Monday.
Analysis: The cornerback spent the entire 2025 season on Tampa Bay's practice squad. Hall last started an NFL regular-season game in 2023 with the Jets. |
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Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Optimism around Week 1 availability
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:17 PM
The Texans are optimistic that Noel (hamstring/finger) will be available for the team's regular-season opener against the Bills on Sunday, Sept. 13, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Noel was sidelined by a right pinkie injury that he sustained days before the start of training camp. He is now working through a strained hamstring and is training on the side during practice, though the Texans regard that particular injury as a minor setback and are expecting the 2025 third-rounder to suit up for Week 1. Noel is aiming to build off his rookie campaign, when he caught 26 passes (on 35 targets) for 292 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games while also contributing on special teams as a returner on punts and kickoffs. |
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Tank Dell Tank Dell Working back at his own pace
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 12:37 PM
Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that he's unsure if Dell (knee) will play during the Texans' preseason slate, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "With Tank, he's on his own plan," Ryans noted. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell."
Analysis: Dell didn't play in Friday's preseason game against the Chargers, which comes as no surprise because he's been limited to individual drills after missing the entire 2025 campaign following a December 2024 play in which he dislocated his left kneecap while also tearing the ACL and MCL in that knee. The Texans' next exhibition is Thursday versus the Raiders, and Houston opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Bills. |
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Jaylin Noel Jaylin Noel Will miss 'a few weeks' with hamstring issue
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 9:11 AM
Noel recently sustained a hamstring injury that will likely keep him from practicing for "a few weeks," Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: The wideout previously had a delayed start to training camp due to a right pinkie finger injury, which caused him to miss some practice time before he was reinstated from the active/non-football injury list Aug. 7. Just over a week later, Noel is now dealing with a more worrisome hamstring issue, which had relegated him to a side field in the Texans' last few practices. Texans receivers coach Ben McDaniels expressed confidence that Noel will be "ready to roll" once he's cleared to resume taking part in team drills, but the missed reps during practices and preseason games will likely damage his chances of heading into Week 1 as the Texans' No. 3 receiver. Noel has been competing with Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell (knee) for those duties. |
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Louis Hansen Louis Hansen Signs with Houston
Sun, Aug 16, 2026, 2:21 PM
The Texans signed Hansen to a contract Sunday.
Analysis: Hansen's signing is likely to add tight end depth after Brevin Jordan (knee) suffered an injury during last Friday's training camp session. Hansen likely will get a few reps in the remaining preseason games before cut-down day. The tight end's first chance to make an impact will be Thursday's contest against the Raiders. |
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C.J. Stroud C.J. Stroud Scheduled to play against Vegas on Thursday
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 3:02 PM
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Saturday that Stroud and the other healthy starters will play in Thursday's preseason game against Las Vegas, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Ryans will give his key players some run after holding them out from the preseason opener. Stroud's offensive line crucially appears healthy, including new starters Braden Smith (RT), Wyatt Teller (LG) and Keylan Rutledge (C). |
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Joshua Pitsenberger Joshua Pitsenberger Placed on injured reserve
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 1:03 PM
The Texans placed Pitsenberger (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Pitsenberger suffered an ankle injury in Friday's preseason loss to the Chargers. The running back was set to be sidelined for at least a few weeks but will now miss the entirety of the 2026 season. The only way Pitsenberger could play in 2026 is if he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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Graham Mertz Graham Mertz Moved to IR
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 12:53 PM
The Texans placed Mertz (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Mertz suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers. The quarterback's season is over, so a move to injured reserve is not surprising. The Texans signed Brett Rypien in a corresponding move. |
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Brett Rypien Brett Rypien Signs with Houston
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 12:48 PM
The Texans signed Rypien to a contract Saturday.
Analysis: With Graham Mertz (knee) being moved to season-ending injured reserve, the Texans were looking for another quarterback to bolster depth at the position. Rypien played in one regular-season game for the Bengals in 2025, taking just three offensive snaps. The quarterback will slot behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills as an emergency option. |
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Joshua Pitsenberger Joshua Pitsenberger Nursing ankle injury
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 11:14 PM
Pitsenberger will be sidelined for a "couple weeks" due to an ankle injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Pitsenberger may have picked up the injury during the Texans' 27-7 loss to the Chargers in Thursday's preseason game, when he turned nine carries into 33 yards while playing 25 snaps (20 on offense, five on special teams). If the two-week recovery timeline is accurate, then Pitsenberger would be out for this Thursday's exhibition game against the Raiders, though he could be back for the Texans' preseason finale against the Panthers on Friday, Aug. 28. |
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Ka'imi Fairbairn Ka'imi Fairbairn Idle against Bolts
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:37 PM
Fairbairn did not play in the Texans' 27-7 preseason loss to the Chargers on Thursday.
Analysis: With Fairbairn on the sidelines, Chris Freeman served as the Texans' kicker Thursday, with the latter missing his lone field goal attempt from 61 yards out. Freeman was waived by Houston on Friday, leaving Fairbairn as the only kicker on the 90-man roster. Unless the Texans sign another kicker to the roster, Fairbairn figures to play in each of the last two preseason games, with the next taking place this Thursday at home against the Raiders. |
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Jayden Higgins Jayden Higgins Sits for preseason opener
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:28 PM
Higgins did not play in Thursday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Higgins was joined by Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell (knee) on the sidelines for Thursday's preseason game, with fourth-year wideout Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson and Jared Wayne being the Texans' three starting wideouts. Higgins is coming off a solid rookie campaign, when he caught 41 passes (on 68 targets) for 525 yards and six touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. He's positioned as the clear WR2 for the Texans behind Collins while Hutchinson, Noel and Dell provide depth at the position. |
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Dalton Schultz Dalton Schultz Idle for preseason opener
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:20 PM
Schultz did not play in Thursday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Schultz joined several starters on the sidelines Thursday, with Cade Stover leading all tight ends with 26 snaps on offense, followed by Foster Moreau (21). Although C.J. Stroud struggled at times in 2025, Schultz finished the regular season with a career-high 82 catches (on 106 targets) for 777 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games. He should be a favored target of Stroud for the upcoming season, though Schultz's target share could take a slight dip when wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is back in the fold. |
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Plays Thursday
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:16 PM
Hill made two tackles (one solo) during Thursday night's preseason opener against the Chargers.
Analysis: Hill played 42 total snaps Thursday, with 33 defensive reps. The linebacker contributed on exactly 50 percent of the Texans' defensive plays. Hill underwent a procedure to address a wrist ligament injury during the offseason but appears to have fully recovered from the surgery. |
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Plays in preseason opener
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:11 PM
Hamilton logged four tackle assists in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Chargers.
Analysis: Hamilton logged 36 defensive snaps in the contest, taking the field for 56 percent of the Texans' total defensive snaps. The interior lineman had a solid night, managing to get hands on rushers consistently. The 23-year-old will likely need to make a few more splash plays this preseason for a stronger chance to survive cutdown day. |
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Graham Mertz Graham Mertz Suffers torn ACL
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 5:57 PM
Mertz (knee) suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: With the severity of the injury confirmed, Mertz will undergo season-ending surgery shortly. The reserve quarterback behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills played just one half of football in 2026, completing four of seven passes for 23 yards and rushing three times for 15 yards. The Texans will likely bring in another quarterback to shore up the unit's depth before the start of the regular season. |
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Graham Mertz Graham Mertz ACL tear feared
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 8:19 AM
The Texans believe that Mertz tore his ACL during Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per Schefter, there is expected to be additional testing to confirm Mertz's injury, but at this stage it doesn't look good for the 2025 sixth-rounder. As a result, look for Houston to bring in added QB depth behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills in short order. |
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