Overview
- Higgins suffered a non‑contact knee injury during 11‑on‑11 red‑zone drills in a joint practice with the Raiders and an MRI confirmed a torn ACL that ends his 2026 season.
- Coach DeMeco Ryans called the loss “significant” and said Higgins had been one of the best players on the field during camp, framing the injury as a major setback for the offense.
- The Texans are shifting targets toward Nico Collins and internal options such as Xavier Hutchinson while Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel remain limited by their own recovery issues.
- Houston has already begun probing the trade market and free‑agent options, including interest in New England’s Kayshon Boutte, but sources say asking prices have been steep and no deal is imminent.
- Higgins was the Texans’ 2025 second‑round pick who posted 41 catches for 525 yards and six TDs as a rookie, and he will undergo surgery and rehab with a realistic goal of returning by the next training camp.