News

1. Aug 21
   The Texans placed Higgins (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

   It officially ends Higgins' 2026 season before it even got started after he suffered a torn ACL in practice earlier this week. It's a huge blow to the Houston offense, as Higgins was fully expected to handle WR2 duties opposite Nico Collins this season. The Texans will now turn to some combination of Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel (hamstring/finger) and Tank Dell (knee), though they've also checked in on available wideouts around the league, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Higgins will rehab throughout the season and should be ready well ahead of Week 1 of the 2027 campaign.

   RotoWire via ESPN
2. Aug 19
   'Drumbeat' players: Believe the buzz surrounding Justin Herbert, Carnell Tate and more

   Tap. Tap. Tap. Do you hear that? It's the sound of something building. Some call it buzz. Others refer to it as momentum. I like the idea of a drumbeat. Slow and steady, gradually increasing in timbre until developing into recognizable and robust syncopation. That is the song of the fantasy football offseason. And the players below are just beginning to sing. The sounds are faint right now, but keep your ear to the ground, because some of these players may be worthy of a league-winning ovation by season's end. Editor's note: Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins was also on this list, but he suffered a torn ACL in practice Tuesday and will miss the 2026 season. Sign up for ESPN Fantasy Football. Play the No. 1 Fantasy game for free!  Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers Herbert's drumbeat is less simple percussion and more John Bonham slaying "Moby Dick." The Chargers signal-caller is one of the fastest risers at the position, and investors appear charmed by the change in offensive philosophy. Mike McDaniel reportedly committed to Los Angeles primarily because he wanted to work with Herbert, noting the QB's size, elite arm strength and anticipatory skills. Notes from training camp suggest the duo have clicked and that Herbert has picked up the new OC's playbook with astonishing ease. Also working in Herbert's favor is the health of the Chargers' offensive line. Injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt capsized Herbert's protection in 2025. Prior to Alt's season-ending ankle fracture in Week 9, Herbert led the position in passing yards (2,140) while posting 20.1 fantasy points per game (QB8) from Weeks 1-8. Without the star RT on the field, however, Herbert registered 1,587 passing yards (QB18) and managed an underwhelming 15.8 fantasy PPG (QB14) the remainder of the regular season. While Slater has missed practice with what's being reported as a minor knee tweak, Alt has been a full go at training camp. Given Alt's successful recovery as well as the depth added across the line, Herbert figures to operate effectively. The 6-foot-6 veteran should also benefit from a loaded group of pass catchers. Herbert's options include WRs Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris, TEs Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku, as well as RBs Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell. With strong receiving options at every level of the field in tandem with the QB's sneaky rushing floor (he was the QB2 in rushing yards last season), Herbert presents top-10 positional fantasy appeal. Other QBs to note: Tyler Shough (Saints), Cam Ward (Titans), Carson Beck (Cardinals)  Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns A dislocated ankle and fractured fibula prematurely ended Judkins' first pro campaign in Week 16 of 2025. Before getting hurt, the second-round selection operated as the team's uncontested lead ball carrier, ranking eighth at the position with 222 carries from Weeks 2-15. That robust volume, however, translated to only an RB22 finish (12.3 fantasy PPG). Subpar quarterback play, zero downfield threats and a besieged O-line torpedoed Judkins' efficiency to a meager 3.6 YPC (RB40), masking his trademark power and lower-body explosiveness. While the blueprint for 2026 doesn't appear markedly different, there remains optimism that Judkins can improve on his 2025 numbers. Healthy and practicing in full, the 22-year-old has drawn regular praise from staff, with RBs coach Duce Staley recently remarking, "the sky's the limit" and "…Q can play all three downs. I don't even think that's a question." The expectation is that Judkins, who averaged two grabs per contest as a rookie, will handle a larger portion of receiving work. The formula for Judkins' success is straightforward, as he serves as a focal point in Todd Monken's run-focused offense. Behind a completely rebuilt offensive line, his overall efficiency should rise. However, this transition may take some time to yield results. Given a brutal early schedule featuring consecutive road games against

   ESPN
3. Aug 19
   Higgins was diagnosed Wednesday with an ACL tear, which would rule him out for the 2026 season, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

   We'll await confirmation from the team, but after early reports suggested a minor injury, it appears to be just the opposite, leaving Houston shorthanded at wide receiver a few weeks before the start of the regular season. Higgins seemingly was locked in for the No. 2 role, which could now be up for grabs between Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel (hamstring) and Tank Dell (knee). Fantasy interest in Noel and Dell figures to increase significantly now that Higgins is on track to be out of the picture until 2027.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Aug 18
   Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said, "I think he'll be fine" after Higgins appeared to suffer a leg injury in Tuesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

   That's more context than was offered by coach DeMeco Ryans, who didn't provide an immediate update on the wideout's status. While Stroud's comment regarding one of his key targets is encouraging, Higgins' availability will remain up in the air until the team offers a clearer picture of his health. Higgins is unlikely to see action in Thursday's preseason contest against the Raiders.

   RotoWire via ESPN
5. Aug 18
   Higgins needed help getting to his feet after he was shaken up during Tuesday's practice, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

   On the plus side, the wideout walked off on his own power. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Higgins subsequently headed off the field to get checked out by team medical personnel. Afterward, coach DeMeco Ryans noted that he didn't have an immediate update on his status, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Consider Higgins day-to-day as Thursday's preseason contest against the Raiders approaches.

   RotoWire via ESPN

Injury reports

No injury reports this season.

League history

Nothing yet: he hasn’t been drafted, signed, traded or cut in this league.