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Texans place Jaylin Noel on IR, claims ex-Cowboys rusher off waivers
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- Texans place Jaylin Noel on IR, claims ex-Cowboys rusher off waivers
Texans place Jaylin Noel on IR, claims ex-Cowboys rusher off waivers appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Houston Texans have placed second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel on injured reserve because of a turf toe injury, while claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys to fill his roster spot, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday.
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Noel suffered the injury during Houston's Week 7 loss to the New York Giants and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander. He is also likely to undergo surgery on his toe.
The injury ends a promising stretch for Noel. Through seven appearances this season, the 2025 third-round pick recorded 19 receptions on 23 targets for 331 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving total leads the Texans, complemented by an impressive 17.4 yards per reception that demonstrates his value as a vertical passing threat.
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The 24-year-old's absence creates another challenge for a Houston offense dealing with multiple receiver injuries. Fellow 2025 draft selection Jayden Higgins is already on injured reserve after suffering an ACL tear. Noel and Higgins, both former Iowa State withouts, were expected to take on larger roles during their second NFL seasons.
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The Texans does have a few options to help compensate for Noel's loss. Nico Collins remains a leading target, while Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tank Dell provide additional receiving options. Harrison joined the Texans through a trade after Week 5, and Dell returned in Week 7 after missing 22 months because of a serious knee injury sustained in December 2024. Dell led Houston's wide receivers with 43 receiving yards against the Giants, while Harrison caught a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Demercado joins the Texans after appearing in two games for the Cowboys this season, logging five carries for 15 yards. The 27-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2023 and spent his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, making their active roster each year.
Demercado signed a one-year contract with Kansas City during the offseason but was released during the Chiefs' final roster cuts. Dallas subsequently claimed him, and he moved on and off the Cowboys' roster before Houston secured him off waivers.
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The Texans enter their bye week with a 2-5 record.
Related: Texans not closing door on intriguing RB amid David Montgomery injury
