Ryans has watched his rookie duo put in the work needed from the rookie minicamp to be prepared to step up in the absence of their teammates.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has said on numerous occasions before training camp that rookies need to be ready to play right away. Of course, he understands there is a learning curve, but his philosophy remains the same.
For rookie wide receivers and former college teammates at Iowa State University, Jayden Higgins, who was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Jaylin Noel, who was picked one round later, will get an opportunity to demonstrate how much their on-the-job training has paid off during their first six games with the Texans this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
With veterans Nico Collins (Concussion) and Christian Kirk (Hamstring) more than likely unavailable, Higgins and Noel, along with former Cyclone wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, will receive extended playing time.
So far this season, Noel has nine receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown, while Higgins has the same number of receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown.
Ryans has watched his rookie duo put in the work needed from the rookie minicamp to be prepared to step up in the absence of their teammates.
“I just want to see Higgins and Noel do what they’ve done, and that’s just be the guys they are,” Ryans said. “They don’t have to do anything extra. If their roles are increased, great. It means more opportunities for those guys to make plays, but they don’t have to go out and be someone else.
“They just need to be themselves and be the guys who we saw at Iowa State make play after play after play because they did it the right way. So, that’s what they have to go do.”
Losing any offensive player is a significant setback since they haven’t established an identity this season, especially after one of their worst performances against the Seattle Seahawks. Not having Collins, a 2024 NFL Pro Bowl selection, could impact the plays that offensive coordinator Nick Caley intends to run.
However, the Texans have a ‘Next Man Up’ mentality, and quarterback C.J. Stroud believes that his rookie offensive weapons will be ready when their number is called.
“I think whatever they’re doing in practice, which has been really good, will get it done in the game,” said Stroud about Higgins and Noel. “So, just taking the practice to the game, the meetings to the practice, and I think that’ll be the key recipe for them to have success on Sunday. I’m in full faith with them. I think they’re ready, and I’m excited to see them roll.”