The Houston Texans have signed veteran wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, the team announced Friday. These additions come in the wake of a season-ending injury to second-year receiver Jayden Higgins, who tore his ACL during practice on Tuesday.
Higgins was placed on the injured reserve list, marking a premature end to his promising second season. He was selected with the second pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and recorded 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley had recently praised Higgins' development, noting his increased comfort and understanding of the offense, stating, "He doesn’t have any limitations, he really doesn’t."
Shepard, entering his 10th NFL season, brings experience from his previous stints with the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His most productive season came in his third year, when he caught 66 passes for 872 yards and four touchdowns.
Jones, who will be playing for his fifth team in his ninth NFL season, spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. His best statistical year was in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded 82 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns.
Both Shepard and Jones join an existing group of receivers that includes Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson. Their arrival aims to mitigate the impact of Higgins' absence and provide depth to the Texans' receiving unit for the upcoming season.