Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ACL during Tuesday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Higgins suffered the injury during a red-zone team drill. He initially walked off the field before needing a cart to be transported into the facility.
The 23-year-old was set to have a prominent role on Houston's offense this season after flashing as a rookie in 2025. He recorded 41 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns while playing over 57% of the team's offensive snaps.
Higgins finished second in receiving yards among Texans wide receivers and notably led the club with 59 yards in Houston's divisional-round matchup against the New England Patriots, stepping up with Nico Collins sidelined.
The Texans selected both Higgins and wide receiver Jaylin Noel in the first three rounds of last year's draft out of Iowa State. Noel, who posted 26 catches for 292 yards and two scores as a rookie, returned to practice this week after missing time with hamstring and finger injuries.
Houston's wide receiver room for this season now includes Collins, Noel, Tank Dell, and Xavier Hutchinson. Dell missed all of last year after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee during the 2024 campaign, but he's been practicing with the team again during training camp. He's recorded 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 career games.
The Texans face the Buffalo Bills in their season opener on Sept. 13.
