The Houston Texans got hit with an ugly one on Wednesday, and it came in duplicate.
During a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, two Texans players were carted off the field at nearly the same time after separate injuries on different fields. Right tackle Braden Smith and linebacker Ali Gaye both needed immediate attention, and neither player was able to put any weight on the injured leg afterward.
A single medical cart was used to bring both players inside for further evaluation, leaving Houston dealing with a sudden loss on both sides of the ball. Reporters on site described both injuries as lower-leg issues, with official tests still pending.
Smith’s exit carries the bigger immediate sting for an offensive line that Houston had already tried to fortify this offseason. The Texans signed the veteran tackle to a two-year, $25 million deal in March 2026, bringing him in to help stabilize the front and better protect quarterback C.J.
Stroud. That move came after the team traded away offensive tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, prompting general manager Nick Caserio to turn to free agency for an experienced replacement.
Smith arrived in Houston after eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he started more than 100 games as a division rival.
For now, the Texans are waiting on imaging scheduled for tomorrow morning to determine the full extent of both injuries and establish a recovery timeline. The club was left with a short, sharp reminder of how quickly a training camp practice can turn into a major problem.
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