Sources: Texans' Higgins tears ACL, out for season

• 

  DJ Bien-AimeAug 19, 2026, 01:10 PM ET

  Close

  DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He's a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show "Talkin' Texans."

HOUSTON -- The Texans' receiving corps took a big hit Wednesday as wideout Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The season-ending injury occurred Tuesday during the Texans' joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders when the 2025 second-round pick ran a route in the end zone and fell awkwardly during red zone 11-on-11 drills.

Higgins immediately couldn't get back up, but he eventually limped off on his own power. Coach DeMeco Ryans said after the practice that they were still evaluating the severity of the injury.

Higgins, who was off to a strong start to training camp, had 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his rookie season.

Houston now will rely on the next batch of wideouts led by Xavier Hutchison, Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel.

Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, posted career highs last season with 35 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns.

Dell and Noel haven't practiced much throughout training camp as both work their way back from injuries.

Dell is coming back from a serious knee injury from Dec. 2024 that held him out all of 2025. Noel, meanwhile, has dealt with a broken finger and hamstring tightness throughout camp.