Jaylin Noel’s breakout second season is over. The Texans placed the wide receiver on injured reserve Wednesday, Oct. 28, with a turf toe injury, and he is expected to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the 2026 season, according to the Houston Chronicle. (Read our original report on Noel’s injury.)
That leaves Houston (2-5) reshuffling its receiver room coming out of the bye, with a trip to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 8, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT.
Jaylin Noel Injury Update
- Injury: Turf toe, suffered with just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter of the Week 7 overtime loss to the Giants (27-21) on Oct. 25
- Status: Placed on injured reserve Oct. 28
- Outlook: Expected to have toe surgery and miss the rest of the season
- After the game: Seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot, per Texans Wire
What Noel Gave the Texans in 2026
The 2025 third-round pick out of Iowa State had become Houston’s top big-play threat through seven games:
- đ 19 catches for a team-leading 331 receiving yards
- đ 2 receiving touchdowns
- ⥠17.4 yards per catch and 14.4 yards per target, the best per-target mark in the NFL per NBC Sports
- đ 4 carries for 26 yards
- âŠī¸ Primary punt and kickoff returner
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The Texans WR Room Without Noel
Nico Collins remains the No. 1 receiver. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hamstring injury earlier this season but carried no injury designation heading into Week 9.
Marvin Harrison Jr. arrived in an Oct. 12 trade with the Arizona Cardinals. Houston sent 2027 second- and seventh-round picks to Arizona for the 2024 No. 4 overall pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder. The move reunites Harrison with his Ohio State quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
Tank Dell played against the Giants in Week 7, his first game in nearly two years after a significant knee injury. Dell can work out of the slot, where Noel did much of his damage, and also line up outside. He was listed as questionable for the Giants game with the knee.
Kayshon Boutte came over from the New England Patriots in a trade in August, with Houston sending safety Jaylen Reed and swapping late-round picks. He had 12 catches for 153 yards through five games, but his snap share had declined since Week 2.
Xavier Hutchinson, in his fourth season, is also part of the rotation. Like Boutte, he is on an expiring contract.
2025 second-round pick Jayden Higgins remains on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Who Replaces Noel on Returns
Noel’s role as the primary punt and kickoff returner also needs filling. The Texans have not announced a replacement yet. The first official Week 9 injury report comes out Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Texans at Chargers: Game Info
- đī¸ Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
- đ 3:05 p.m. CT
- đī¸ SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- đ Texans 2-5, Chargers 0-6
Who steps up most with Jaylin Noel out?
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