The Houston Texans went into the offseason with one clear mission: fix an offensive line that has been a problem for years. That’s why Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller were brought in, and why Houston was willing to commit $36 million over two years to the pair.
For now, though, that plan is looking a lot murkier.
After the Texans’ second preseason game, ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime pointed out that both veterans were working with the second unit, a development that naturally raises questions about how Houston is sorting out its starting five. As Bien-Aime put it, "Leaving two free agent signees (right tackle Braden Smith and guard Wyatt Teller) running with the second unit.
The Texans signed Smith to a two-year, $20 million deal and Teller to a two-year, $16 million contract, with the expectation that both would start and boost the team's frequently problematic offensive line. So how will Houston decide which linemen to start Week 1?
And do the Texans want $36 million worth of offseason signings on their backup unit?"
That’s the part that stings. Smith and Teller weren’t supposed to be depth pieces or short-term insurance. Houston paid for immediate help, with both players expected to step into starting roles and steady a line that has needed exactly that.
Instead, they’re currently operating with the second team while the Texans continue to evaluate their options. There’s still time before Week 1, and preseason is built for sorting through combinations, not locking in final answers after one game. But if this continues, Houston could end up with two pricey additions sitting behind players who were already on the roster.
That would make the offseason spending look a whole lot worse.
In Other News...
Texans Defensive Line Just Took A Hit They Couldnt Afford
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For a Texans front trying to build out reliable rotation pieces, Horton had been part of the mix as camp got underway. Losing him this early only tightens the margins up front and leaves the team with another spot to rework before the regular season picture starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Fans Finally Got A Clowney Update They Had To Hear
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Ryans still expects Clowney to return soon, and the bigger point for Houston is keeping him on track for Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. For a Texans defense looking to lean on experience and disruption, the hope is this is simply part of the early ramp-up and not the kind of issue that lingers into the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Receiver Shakeup Just Created A Huge Opportunity Up Wide
Jayden Higgins was in line to be part of the Texans wide receiver mix, but a torn ACL in practice has now wiped out his 2026 season and sent another jolt through a room that was already going to be watched closely. For Houston, the injury does more than remove a young receiver from the picture. It reshapes the depth chart and forces the offense to rethink how it spreads the ball around as the season approaches.
The ripple effect could be felt by Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Nico Collins and possibly Tank Dell, all of whom stand to benefit from a larger share of the snaps and targets. How much each player gains will depend on how the Texans sort out their pecking order, but Higgins absence creates a real opening up wide and gives Houston another roster battle worth tracking as camp and the season move forward. [Read more 🡒]