Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel’s training camp has hit another snag, and this one sounds more complicated than the finger issue that already had him on the shelf.
Noel, who had been working his way back after opening camp on the NFI list with a minor finger injury, is now also dealing with a hamstring injury, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The expected recovery window is a “few weeks.”
That update comes after Noel had been activated from the NFI list and was getting back into wide receiver drills off to the side, a sign he was at least moving in the right direction. Now, though, the Texans are waiting again.
Wide receivers coach Ben McDaniels addressed Noel’s situation during this weekend’s training camp practice and didn’t sound concerned about Noel’s preparation, even if the timeline has stretched.
"I expect him, when he hits the grass, to be ready to roll," McDaniels said of Noel. "He's extremely diligent with his preparation and being ready to go when he's going to be healthy."
For Houston, it’s an unfortunate pause for a second-year player who was expected to be part of a larger offensive jump in 2026. Noel had already been trending back from the finger injury, but hamstring problems tend to be a tougher road and could keep him out longer.
The Texans took Noel in the third round of the 2025 draft, and he played in all 17 games last season. He finished with 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns while also serving as the team’s primary kick returner, logging 60 combined kick and punt returns.
His absence matters because Houston’s slot work is there for the taking. With Christian Kirk gone to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year, the Texans have more reps available inside, which is Noel’s natural spot. That’s put him and second-year receiver Jayden Higgins in position for the biggest jumps among the pass-catchers.
For now, though, Noel’s rise may have to wait. If the “few weeks” estimate proves accurate, he could miss Houston’s next two preseason games - Thursday against the Las Vegas Raiders in Houston and next Friday on the road against the Carolina Panthers. In that case, his next live action would come in the regular season.
That opens the door for others in the receiver room, and sixth-round rookie Lewis Bond has already started making noise. Bond, another slot option, looks set to get even more chances while Noel is sidelined.
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