The Houston Texans saw offensive lineman Braden Smith suffer an apparent injury joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, and we now have a better idea of what the issue might be with the former Indianapolis Colts starter.
“Texans believe OL Braden Smith suffered a foot injury today that led to him being carted off,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on August 26.
Smith, 20, is in his first season with the Texans.
Texans Suspect Foot Injury for Braden Smith
He signed a two-year, $20 million contract in free agency. Unfortunately for the Texans, his history on injury woes has followed him to Houston. The Texans, though, have had a plan in place since before Smith’s latest setback.
Smith as a second-round pick, taken 37th overall by the Colts in the 2018 draft.
He has logged one full regular-season slate of games in eight previous campaigns, and that was in 2019 before the NFL expanded to 17 games.
Smith was part of a significant effort by the Texans to fortify their front. Their previous plan has proven so far to be superior, though. That is veteran Trent Brown. Brown started at RT for the Texans in 2025 and re-signed on a bargain, one-year, $5.5 million pact.
What that says about the outlook of the Texans’ offensive line remains uncertain.
Texans in Holding Pattern on Ali Gaye
There was not much more clarity for the Texans regarding Ali Gaye, who also exited Wednesday’s practice due to an injury, than there was with Smith.
“MRI pending for #Texans injured defensive end Ali Gaye knee, per a source,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 26, adding that the veteran was “carted off today in joint practice vs. #Panthers.”
Gaye has 18 games of NFL regular-season experience.
He is listed as one of the Texans’ fourth-string EDGEs, along with undrafted rookie Sabastian Harsh, on the unofficial depth chart.
Insider Delivers First Update on Texans’ Braden Smith