The Houston Texans were dealt a significant blow to their passing attack.

Wide receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to multiple reports.

Higgins went to the ground on a red-zone play during team drills. Quarterback C.J. Stroud initially expressed optimism that the second-year receiver had avoided a major injury, saying, “I think he’ll be fine.” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, however, had no update immediately after practice.

A second-round pick out of Iowa State in 2025, Higgins tied with Nico Collins for the team lead in touchdown receptions (six) as a rookie while posting 41 catches and 525 yards.

Heading into Stroud’s fourth year at the helm, Ryans lauded Higgins’ preparation and the connection he had fostered with he quarterback.

Higgins came back ready this camp,” Ryans said earlier in August. “… He’s excelling at every level. Third down, he’s winning, making plays for us. The sky is the limit for Jayden Higgins.”

Texans WR depth chart

Prior to Higgins’ injury, here’s how the Texans’ depth chart looked at wide receiver:

• WR1: Nico Collins — Justin Watson — Jared Wayne — Treyvhon Saunders — Montrell Washington
• WR2: Jayden Higgins — Tank Dell — Josh Kelly — Daniel Sobkowicz — Juwann Winfree
• WR3: Xavier Hutchinson — Jaylin Noel — Lewis Bond — Jha’Quan Jackson

Higgins’ absence could spark a good deal of uncertainty for a Houston receiving corps with injury issues elsewhere. Jaylin Noel, a third-round pick in 2025 and Higgins’ former teammate, is expected to be out “a few weeks” while recovering from hamstring and pinky injuries, NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported. Meanwhile, Tank Dell continues to work his way back from the gruesome December 2024 knee injury that kept him out all of last season.

Xavier Hutchinson, who notched 35 catches for 428 yards in 2025, could be in line for a bigger role.