Noel was the leading Texans receiver this season in yards and averaged 17.4 yards per reception
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) is challenged by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (6) during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (Kin Cheung, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
HOUSTON – The Texans are in a major hole and searching for answers after a dismal 2-5 start to their NFL regular season and now they’re dealing with another significant setback with the loss of wide receiver Jaylin Noel.
The Texans announced Wednesday that Noel was being placed on injured reserve with a turf toe injury suffered in the loss Sunday to the New York Giants. DeMeco Ryans announced Noel’s injury on Sunday after the game and after evaluation things are more serious.
According to multiple reports including the Houston Chronicle and Insider Aaron Wilson, Noel will undergo surgery and it’s expected that he could be lost for the remainder of the season.
Noel was off to an impressive start to the 2026 season leading the Texans with 331 receiving yards while averaging over 17 yards per reception. Noel was also playing a key role in the Texans return game. His injury follows that of fellow receiver Jayden Higgins who tore his ACL during training camp and was also lost for this season.
Now the Texans have to take a look at who will step into Noel’s slot role. Tank Dell returned Sunday vs. Giants and could see more snaps while Marvin Harrison Jr. will prepare to play his third game with the Texans. All major pieces needed to help take pressure off of Nico Collins.
The Texans return to work on Monday and prepare for their trip to Los Angeles to take on the currently winless Chargers November 8th.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
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Randy McIlvoy
KPRC 2 Sports Director since 2004. Covers the Astros, Texans, Rockets, Dynamo, Dash and a few hundred local high schools across the Greater Houston Area