The Houston Texans just got absolutely gutted before their second preseason game, folks. Jayden Higgins is officially out for the entire 2026 season with a torn ACL. That’s a brutal blow, a real gut punch for any squad, let alone one trying to find its offensive rhythm. Yeah, Nico Collins is a solid No. 1 wideout, and they’ve got some interesting depth hanging around, but let’s be real, you lose a guy to a season-ender like that, you gotta make a move. The word on the street is they’ve already been making some serious calls.
Texans Making “Exploratory” Calls, Looking at Two Big Names
It didn’t take long for the Texans to jump into action. According to Aaron Wilson from SportsTalk 790, Houston has been making “exploratory” trade calls, and two names are popping up big time: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Think about that for a second. An injury happens, and almost immediately, they’re on the horn looking for upgrades. That tells you everything you need to know about how critical this situation is for them. Losing Higgins means they can’t just sit back and hope. They need a proven presence, and fast.
Boutte’s High Upside vs. Bateman’s Experience, What’s the Play?
So, let’s break down these potential targets. Kayshon Boutte is the “higher upside” option here, plain and simple. He might only be under control for the 2026 season, making him a rental, but that upside is tempting. Last season, Boutte snagged 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns for the Patriots. With New England bringing in Romeo Doubs and A.J. Brown, Boutte is reportedly available. That’s a strong season for a guy who could light it up.
Then there’s Rashod Bateman. He’s got more experience, playing five seasons to Boutte’s three, but he’s coming off a much rougher year for the Ravens. Bateman only caught 19 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last year. He also might not be as easy to get, and he’s a bit more expensive financially than Boutte. It’s a classic choice: roll the dice on high upside and a cheaper contract with Boutte, or go for more experience, albeit with a tougher recent track record and higher cost, in Bateman. What would you do if you were calling the shots?
What This Means and a Quick Seattle Check-in
The bottom line for Houston is they absolutely need to add another weapon to that wide receiver room before the 2026 season kicks off. Will they swing a trade for Boutte or Bateman, sign someone in free agency, or claim a player off waivers? That’s the million-dollar question. For Stroud to get a new target before the regular season begins, it wouldn’t be a shocker if one of these two ends up in Houston.
Speaking of the start of the season, while other teams are making big moves, it’s also worth noting some news closer to home. Our very own Seattle Seahawks’ 2nd-round safety, Bud Clark, just got some tough news about his Week 1 starting job. Every team’s got its battles, right? For the Texans, it’s all about who lines up alongside Nico Collins when the games start counting. It’s going to be wild to see who they bring in to fill that massive hole.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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