Texans' Jaylin Noel Headed for Season-Ending Toe Surgery; Houston Claims RB Emari Demercado
Houston loses its leading receiver for the year and adds a running back off waivers from Dallas heading into its bye
The Texans placed wide receiver Jaylin Noel on injured reserve Wednesday, and he's expected to miss the rest of the season. Noel has a turf toe injury that will require surgery, Ari Meirov reported.
Noel got hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Giants, falling awkwardly while being tackled on a kick return. It's a real loss for Houston. The 2025 third-round pick from Iowa State leads the team with 331 receiving yards on 19 catches, averaging 17.4 yards per reception with two touchdowns. He had started to break out, catching 12 passes for 233 yards and both of his scores over a three-game stretch from Weeks 4 to 6, and he gave the offense a second big-play threat opposite Nico Collins.
#Texans WR Jaylin Noel is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season due to a turf toe injury that will require surgery, per @jonmalexander. Noel was starting to flash in Houston's offense, recording 12 catches for 233 yards and 2 TDs over a three-game stretch from Weeks 4-6.View on X →
Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate): #Texans WR Jaylin Noel is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season due to a turf toe injury that will require surgery, per @jonmalexander. Noel was starting to flash in Houston's offense, recording 12 catches for 233 yards and 2 TDs over a three-game stretch from Weeks 4-6.
The Texans have more receiver depth than they did a month ago. Tank Dell returned against the Giants for his first game since December 2024 and led Houston's wideouts with 43 receiving yards, and Marvin Harrison Jr., acquired by trade after Week 5, caught a touchdown pass in the same game. Noel's absence also leaves a hole in the return game.
In a corresponding move, Houston claimed running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Cowboys, who released him this week. Demercado had five carries in two games with Dallas. The addition comes with the backfield already short: David Montgomery (groin) was ruled out of the Giants game.
The Texans are 2-5 and on their bye this week. They return Nov. 8 at the Chargers.