Undrafted free agent Noah Whittington’s developmental year ends abruptly following a severe practice injury, stalling the Oregon product's climb from the practice squad to the active roster.
The Houston Texans have suffered another injury setback, this time involving a young running back who was hoping to make an impact within the organization. Rookie running back Noah Whittington suffered a torn quadriceps during practice this week and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, according to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson.
"Texans rookie practice squad running back Noah Whittington tore his quadriceps in practice this week and is expected to be out for the remainder of the season, per a league source."
Whittington signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft and eventually landed on Houston's practice squad after being waived during final roster cuts. The Oregon product had an opportunity to continue developing within the organization and potentially work his way into a larger role if injuries or roster needs opened the door.
The 5-foot-8, 203-pound running back showed some promise during the preseason, carrying the ball 22 times for 51 yards before an ankle injury sidelined him. Houston ultimately kept him around on the practice squad, giving the team another young option to develop behind David Montgomery and Woody Marks. Now, Whittington's development will have to wait until next season.
The injury is particularly unfortunate given where Whittington was in his first NFL season. As an undrafted rookie, making an active roster is already difficult, and the practice squad provides an important opportunity for players to continue learning the system, getting stronger and proving they belong in the league. A season-ending injury takes away a significant portion of that developmental time.
The Texans have already dealt with their share of injuries early in the 2026 season, making another setback less than ideal. Houston has also recently placed defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. on injured reserve after he suffered a torn ACL, while several other players have dealt with injuries through the first few weeks.
Houston did add running back Dare Ogunbowale to its practice squad earlier this week, giving the team another experienced option in the backfield. Still, Whittington's injury represents a tough blow for a player who was working to establish himself within the organization.
For now, the focus will be on Whittington's recovery. The young running back will have to spend the remainder of his rookie season rehabbing the injury rather than continuing to compete for opportunities on the field. He was initially signed to a three-year deal, so there is no reason to believe he won't have another shot with Houston in 2027, assuming his recovery goes according to plan.
