Could the Texans Bring Back a Familiar Face After Losing Jayden Higgins?
With Jayden Higgins done for the year, the Texans may look to the free-agent market — and one familiar face stands out.
The Houston Texans suffered a major setback on Wednesday as NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his ACL. The injury occurred during a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, effectively removing Houston's No. 2 receiving option. Higgins, the Texans' second-round pick (No. 34 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, had a standout rookie season with 41 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns.
The team now faces a decision on how to replace Higgins, with options including relying on depth players such as third-round pick Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, or Tank Dell, or turning to the free-agent market. DeAndre Hopkins, a former Houston Texan who spent seven seasons with the team, emerges as a potential candidate. Hopkins, now 34 years old, still possesses one of the best hands in the league and remains a reliable red-zone threat, having caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens last season.
Despite his age, he remains a valuable asset for a contender like the Texans. Other names to watch include Brandin Cooks, who spent three seasons with Houston, and Tyreek Hill, a reliable veteran offering more explosiveness. With a strong defense already in place, the Texans appear to have a contender on their hands, assuming quarterback C.J.
Stroud can return to his 2023 form. Hopkins' potential return could provide a fitting conclusion to his career, allowing him to end it with the team that launched his NFL journey.
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