The Buffalo Bills will see a face from their past when they kick off the NFL season.
The Houston Texans were hit with a major injury to their wide receiver room, responding this week by signing veteran Zay Jones. He was the top target for Josh Allen in his rookie season in 2018, and now is set to face off against the Bills in the season opener.
Texans Find Help With Former Bills Wide Receiver
The Texans were left shorthanded when wide receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Higgins was slated as one of the team’s top wide receivers, but they instead turned to the well-traveled veteran Jones.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said the team added both Jones and fellow veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard in the hopes of filling the void.
“We signed two veteran guys, and we’ll see what they can provide,” Ryans said, via SI.com. “When it comes to adding depth in our receiver room, it’s no secret that we lost a very significant piece in our receiver room in Jayden Higgins.”
“We’re still trying to find a way to help out in our receiver room, and that’s what those two guys provide: veteran experience, guys who have done it before, done it at a high level, played in a lot of different systems, and we will see what they can bring to us.”
NBC Sports reporter Charean Williams noted that the Texans took a big hit when Higgins suffered a major knee injury in practice.
“He injured his knee in a joint practice with the Raiders on Tuesday. The 2025 second-round pick landed awkwardly in the end zone during an 11-on-11 red zone drill,” Williams wrote. “Higgins started 10 games and had 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his rookie season. He was expected to start opposite Nico Collins.”
Jones started his career with the Bills in 2017, then was the top target for Allen during his rookie season in 2018.
Bills Have WR Decisions of Their Own
The Bills have some roster decisions to make at wide receiver over the next week, with a large group of pass-catchers and a limited number of roster spots available. Many pundits expected the final two spots to come down to veterans Mecole Hardman and Trent Sherfield Jr., but Sherfield’s strong performances in the preseason may have moved him more safely inside the roster bubble.
After making four receptions for 54 yards in the team’s preseason win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Sherfield got a strong endorsement from Allen. The Bills quarterback said he’s building trust with Sherfield, who was also with the team during the 2022 season.
“Trent’s always been great,” Allen said, via the Buffalo News. “I think everyone in this building has a lot of trust in Trent, and he just gets open, makes contested catches. I feel great throwing him the ball. I know he’s going to protect it, and it’s just hard work, man. So, it’s awesome to see him have success.”
Ex-Bills WR Joins AFC Rival Ahead of Week 1 Clash