The Houston Texans announced on Saturday that they have signed two experienced wide receivers to strengthen the team’s offense. The moves come after the club learned that rookie wideout Jayden Higgins will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL suffered during a red‑zone drill.
New additions to the receiving corps
Zay Jones, 31, joins the Texans after a season with the Arizona Cardinals in which he appeared in eight games, recording 12 catches for 183 yards. Over nine NFL seasons, Jones has compiled 307 receptions for 3,295 yards and 18 touchdowns while playing for the Buffalo Bills (2017‑19), the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2019‑21), the Jacksonville Jaguars (2022‑23) and the Cardinals.
Veteran Sterling Shepard, 33, also signs with Houston. Shepard played 13 games – two as a starter – for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, catching 39 passes for 371 yards and one touchdown. In a ten‑year career, he has amassed 443 receptions for 4,800 yards and 25 touchdowns, primarily with the New York Giants (2016‑23) and the Buccaneers.
Injury roster move
In a related transaction, linebacker K.C. Ossai, 23, was placed on the Texans’ reserve/injured list. Ossai, who spent the 2025 season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad and was signed by Houston on May 26, has not yet appeared in an NFL regular‑season game. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed.
Impact of Higgins’ injury
Jayden Higgins, a second‑round draft pick in 2025, suffered the ACL tear during a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders. Higgins recorded 41 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts) during his rookie season. His absence creates a vacancy that the team hopes to fill with the veteran depth provided by Jones and Shepard.
The signings reflect Houston’s effort to add proven talent to a receiving group that has struggled with injuries and consistency. Both Jones and Shepard bring experience, route‑running ability, and a professional work ethic that aligns with the team’s culture and the expectations of its fan base.
Houston fans will be watching closely as the new acquisitions integrate into the offense during training camp and the upcoming preseason. The Texans’ front office indicated that the veteran presence will also serve as a mentorship resource for younger players on the roster.
Looking ahead
With the offseason now underway, the Texans will continue to evaluate roster needs across the board. The addition of Jones and Shepard adds depth at the wide receiver position, while the loss of Higgins underscores the importance of depth and health management as the team prepares for the 2026 NFL season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
