Texans make Zay Jones, Sterling Shepard signings official; K.C. Ossai to IR
Houston formalized the veteran receiver additions it turned to after Jayden Higgins' season-ending knee injury, and placed linebacker K.C. Ossai on injured reserve to clear a roster spot.
The Texans officially announced the signings of veteran wide receivers Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard on Saturday, one day after working both players out following Jayden Higgins' season-ending knee injury. To clear the roster room, Houston placed linebacker K.C. Ossai on injured reserve.
James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV): Texans make if official and announce the signings of Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard. they've placed LB K.C. Ossai LB on IR and and placed Jayden Higgins on IR yesterday. Higgins I'm told has a clean ACL tear. All other ligaments and meniscus are good, which should help recovery
Jones and Shepard had been among three receivers the Texans brought in this week — Josh Reynolds also worked out — as Houston scrambles to replace Higgins, the 2026 second-round pick lost to a torn ACL. There was at least one encouraging medical note on Higgins: the tear is reported to be a clean ACL, with the other ligaments and meniscus intact, a detail that should help his recovery timeline.
Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler): #Texans roster moves: Signed WR Zay Jones, Sterling Shepard Placed LB K.C. Ossai on IR
Ossai, a second-year linebacker, lands on IR with his season in doubt unless the team reaches an injury settlement. The moves put the Texans back at the 90-man limit heading into the final week of the preseason.