The Houston Texans are signing not one but two wide receivers, agreeing to deals with veterans Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones.
This comes in the wake of the Texans losing Jayden Higgins to a season-ending knee injury and with Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell still recovering from injuries. That has left former sixth-round pick Xavier Hutchinson and ex-undrafted free agent Jared Wayne as WRs 2 and 3.
It will take some time, but Jones and Shepard should be able to help, perhaps in different ways.
Texans Add Sterling Shepard, Zay Jones to Roster
GettySterling Shepard is now with the Texans.
“The #Texans are signing veteran WRs Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, sources tell me and @RapSheet,” NFL Network’s Mike Garfolo reported on X on August 21. “Both impressed in a workout today and join the mix in Houston after the loss of Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL.”
Shepard, 33, was the 40th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the New York Giants.
He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent the past two seasons as a teammate of Texans defensive lineman Logan Hall and running back Owen Wright.
Shepard had 39 receptions for 371 yards and 1 touchdown for the Buccaneers in 2025, appearing in 13 games with two starts. For his career, he has a 443-4,800-25 line and can also help in the return game. He has 81 starts in 117 career games.
Jones, 31, was the 37th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2017.
He started 69 of 123 career games (17 of 21 in Buffalo) and has also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders during his career.
Jones posted a 12-183-0 line in eight games for the Cardinals during the 2025 regular season, but he has caught 307 passes for 3,295 yards and 18 TDs as a pro. The 6-foot-2 playmaker provides a bigger target than the 5-foot-10 Shepard.
Texans Likely to Promote In-House
GettyZay Jones could find himself fighting for a roster spot.
The Texans signing Shepard and Jones could prove to be good news for incumbents Xavier Hutchinson and, even more, Jared Wayne.
“I suspect the two will be battling it out for a back end roster spot (or less) & that Jared Wayne will be thrust up the depth chart,” Houston Stressans (Garrett Williams) posted on X on August 21. Current path seems to be in-house replacement for Jayden Higgins imo.”
Williams added, “Perhaps it could change down the road if the mix of Wayne/Hutch/Noel/Tank/Bond don’t collectively help you fill the void (or even more 12/13 personnel – Klein & heavy run game), noting that the Texans “could always attempt a big splash move later if needed I suppose.”
For now, they will roll the dice behind Collins around quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Texans Sign Former Bills & Giants Starters in Latest Roster Moves