DeMeco Ryans Explains Texans’ Zay Jones, Sterling Shepard Signings

The Houston Texans tweaked their wide receiver room a bit with their two newest signings.

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans jogs onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Earlier this week, the Houston Texans went out to add a couple of new veteran wide receivers to their 90-man roster: Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones.

It's no secret as to why the move was done. The Texans, after they saw second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins go down with a season-ending ACL tear earlier in the week, felt the need to go out and add more depth at the position.

Shepard and Jones were brought in for a workout. Houston liked what they saw. And now, both guys will be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.

What DeMeco Ryans Said About the Pair of Signings

But after the Texans' latest training camp practice, head coach DeMeco Ryans was able to open up on his thoughts about his two newest wide receivers in the building.

In Ryans' mind, he sees a ton of veteran experience within the two guys they signed on in Sterling and Jones. And after the loss of Higgins, their presence could end up being pretty valuable.

"We signed two veteran guys, and we’ll see what they can provide," Ryans said after the Shepard and Jones signings. "When it comes to adding depth in our receiver room, it’s no secret that we lost a very significant piece in our receiver room in Jayden Higgins.”

"We’re still trying to find a way to help out in our receiver room, and that’s what those two guys provide: veteran experience, guys who have done it before, done it at a high level, played in a lot of different systems, and we will see what they can bring to us.”

When it comes to receivers who were on the free agent market, not many are left up for grabs who offer that necessary edge of experience, while still potentially being a productive piece on the field.

Sterling and Jones, though, who each are over 30 years old with over eight years of NFL experience, seem to have enough upside to bank on to bring into the building and essentially try out for their 53-man roster.

Sterling, Jones Bring Experience, Depth to Texans' WR Room

Sterling is fresh off another 300-yard campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's played 10 years in the NFL with 4,800 career receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.

He'll be entering his age-33 season here in Houston, but he's remained a consistent depth piece in the receiver room both in Tampa Bay and the New York Giants, that makes him a worthwhile dart throw to bring onto the roster.

As for Jones, he's only a few years removed from his 800-yard campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, but also has a ton of experience in multiple receiver rooms that could end up being beneficial for this Texans group.

In nine years pro, he's played for the Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Buffalo Bills, and has collected over 300 receptions, 3,200 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

Will either Shepard or Jones showcase enough to warrant the Texans bringing them onto the 53-man roster? That depends on how they show up in practice and in their final preseason game of the year vs. the Carolina Panthers before cutdown day hits next weekend.

But based on the current state of the Texans' wide receiver room after Higgins' injury, nothing can be ruled out for how the front office opts to approach the position ahead of Week 1. So keep a close eye on both Sterling and Jones and their chances to make the roster in the days ahead.

Sign up for our free Houston Texans On SI newsletter, and get breaking Texans news delivered to your inbox daily!