news-engine

The Houston Texans revealed the unfortunate news about second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins that looks to be a big blow to the offense on Tuesday, and many wondered what the corresponding moves would be in the wake of this significant injury. Jayden Higgins’ Injury Higgins went down in a joint practice on Tuesday against the Las Vegas Raiders and tore his ACL. That is a season-ending injury, and he was officially placed on the season-ending injured reserve on Friday. It particularly hurts the Texans’ offense knowing he had an incredible training camp and was poised for a big season as the WR2. Higgins showed all signs of a big year-two jump, including being stronger and faster than as a rookie. His impressive 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame offers a large catch radius, and he could be used in a variety of ways given his speed as well. More Options Needed While the Texans have Pro Bowler Nico Collins as their No. 1 target, the rest of the receiver depth chart was unclear. Tank Dell is still finding his way back from his injury, while Jaylin Noel is dealing with his own injury at the moment, and it’s unclear how much of a step he has taken. Xavier Hutchinson will likely have a bigger role, but the Texans need an experienced wideout who’s been one of the top names on a team in the past. Houston has seemingly targeted that with available free agents. How the Houston Texans’ Two Veteran Receiver Signings Can Help The Texans are signing Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, as first reported on Friday by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Both of them were invited to a workout on the same day and impressed enough to have now joined the team. Josh Reynolds also tried out, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, but it looks like he didn’t make the cut. While there’s no guarantee that either Shepard or Jones would eventually make the 53-man roster, it gives the Texans more options to see if any of these veterans might be able to help fill the role left by Higgins. Houston can’t replace Higgins exactly, but it can get a higher level of production from someone with real experience of being close to a No. 2 option. What Sterling Shepard Can Bring to the Houston Texans Shepard last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had 371 receiving yards on 39 receptions last season with one touchdown in 13 games. The 33-year-old was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft from Oklahoma, and he spent eight seasons with them before signing a one-year deal with the Bucs in 2024. With Shepard’s 10 years of experience comes 443 total receptions for 4800 yards and 25 touchdowns over the course of his career. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound receiver began his career with five straight seasons of at least 500 receiving yards. Shepard’s best season came in 2019, when he had 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns. The Texans obviously won’t be expecting that. Shepard has proven he can be a good route runner and reliable target in key situations, but he does well in the slot. Houston already has options in that area with Noel, Dell, or Lewis Bond. What Zay Jones Can Bring to the Houston Texans Jones is the bigger target at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and he was with the Arizona Cardinals last season. The Austin, Texas native had just 183 yards on 12 receptions in eight games. Jones suffered a season-ending left Achilles tear last November, and it will be interesting to see how he looks coming back from that. Jones didn’t do much the year before, having dealt with a five-game suspension and only 84 yards on 11 receptions in 11 games. The 31-year-old was a second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills out of East Carolina, and his best season came in 2018 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had 82 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns in his first year in Jacksonville. He’s shown glimpses of being a talented wideout who can make contested, acrobatic catches while being a smart route runner. His blocking is also valued. Jones has 307 receptions for 3295 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. If Jones can put it together, he seems like a better fit.