Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins will miss the 2026 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL.
ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Higgins suffered the injury during the Texans’ joint-practice with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday.
Higgins, drafted by the Texans in the second round last year, was expected to be a significant part of the offense for Houston in 2026.
The former Iowa State wideout had 41 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season in 2025, helping Houston reach the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs, where they lost to the New England Patriots.
Higgins was set to start in 2026, with his injury a huge blow to a Texans team that has dealt with significant adversity at receiver in recent times.
Tank Dell missed all of last season after suffering a dislocated knee, multiple torn ligaments and meniscus damage in a playoff defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 campaign.
Dell is still working his way back from that devastating injury and, if he is not ready for the start of the new season, then Xavier Hutchinson will be expected to step up and help fill the void left by Higgins. Nico Collins remains the Texans’ top weapon at wideout, while Jaylin Noel will hope to excel as Houston’s slot receiver.
The Texans open their 2026 season on September 13, and Higgins’ absence could loom large in a potentially compelling quarterback battle between Houston’s C.J. Stroud and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills as they face off in Week 1 in Texas.
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