The Houston Texans did not have either of their top two receivers on the field for their first practice of Week 8, with Nico Collins in concussion protocol and fellow veteran Christian Kirk, leading to a series of roster moves that loom large for C.J. Stroud.
The Texans signed former undrafted free agent Jared Wayne ahead of Sundayâs tilt against the San Francisco 49ers.
Wayne is, at best, in line for a bit role with the Texans. Still, the move is telling.
Texans Sign UDFA WR Amid Nico Collins, Christian Kirk Injuries
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Tennessee Titans before a game.
Wayneâs addition, along with the other troubling signs regarding Collins and Kirkâs respective availability, paints a grim picture for Stroud and the Texans as they prepare to host the 49ers in Week 8.
âTexans wide receiver Jared Wayne is being elevated to the active roster from the practice squad for Sundayâs game against the San Francisco 49ers, per a league source,â KPRC 2âs Aaron Wilson wrote on October 22. âThe Texans need reinforcements at wide receiver with Pro Bowl selection Nico Collins in the NFL concussion protocol after banging his head on the artificial turf Monday night in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Plus, wide receiver Christian Kirk is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered last Thursday in practice.
âWayne, 24 is a Canada native and former undrafted free agent from Pitt who has made strides in his game, especially his ability to create separation on deeper routes.â
Wayne appeared in three games with the Texans during the 2024 regular season.
He logged 40 snaps on offense, but never logged a counting stat, and played another 24 reps on special teams. Wayne also started the Texansâ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Round last season, failing to haul in either of his two targets.
Texans Set to Lean on Historic Duo
GettyJaylin Noel #82 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Wayne will slot in towards the back of the Texansâ depth chart against the 49ers, with Houston set to potentially lean on its rookie draft picks, Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall) and Jaylin Noel (No. 79 overall), should Collins and Kirk sit in Week 8.
Higgins and Noel were the first pair of receivers selected from the same school in the same draft in franchise history.
Their selections also snapped a significant NFL drought of such an occurrence.
âIn particular, Noel has stepped up after his best performance of the season,â Wilson wrote in an article on October 23. âBoth have displayed potential. Now, they are stepping into increased roles.â
Stroud has expressed confidence in both youngsters, and he has shown it on the field with his willingness to target both players.
Still, there is a steep drop in experience for Stroud and the Texans without Collins and Kirk.
Texansâ âDeath By a Thousand Cutsâ Offense Takes Hit
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans exits the field after facing the Seattle Seahawks.
Veterans Xavier Hutchinson, who is in his third season, and Braxton Berrios could be heavily involved as well. Hutchinson has already made his mark, posting a 3-18-2 line in the Texansâ 44-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5.
The Texans identified and drafted Higgins and Noel for a reason.
However, there is also a reason the dynamic young duo ranks third and fifth in snap share, respectively, despite the Texansâ investment.
Moreover, Higginsâ snap share could be even lower were Kirk healthy enough to play in the Texansâ first two games of the season. For one game at least, the Texansâ âdeath by a thousand cutsâ offense, as Stroud has termed it, could need more splash plays to succeed.
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