The Houston Texans are reaching out to their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, for assistance after wide receiver Jayden Higgins sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury. The specific strategies the Texans will employ to cope with Higgins' absence are not yet clear, but he is reportedly eager to recover and return to the field as soon as possible.
According to reports, Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper will perform the surgery on Higgins. Cooper previously operated on Texans linebacker E.J. Speed, who also faced a significant injury during the offseason. Speed is expected to miss most of the upcoming regular season due to a partially torn quadriceps and tendon.
The loss of Higgins is being described as a significant setback for the Texans' offense, especially for quarterback CJ Stroud. Sportswriter John McClain noted that Higgins had shown considerable improvement, making his absence particularly impactful. The Texans may explore options within their current roster or look to free agency or trades to find a replacement, although available wide receivers may not be ideal.
ESPN 97.5's Jeremy Branham mentioned that the Texans might consider internal solutions, especially as roster cuts approach. While there are younger players like Tank Dell, Jared Wayne, and Xavier Hutchinson, their readiness to step up remains uncertain.
One potential option for the Texans could be a reunion with former Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who previously played for the Texans from 2020 to 2022. Cooks is noted for his speed and familiarity with the Texans' offense, making him a logical candidate to fill the void left by Higgins.
