Texans’ Biggest Surprise Standouts From Preseason So Far

The Houston Texans' roster has had some pleasant surprises through two weeks of preseason.

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne (89) makes a reception as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed (46) defends during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Despite the Houston Texans losing both of their preseason games played thus far, there have been a handful of standouts worth nothing around the roster who have boosted their stock in one way or another leading up to the regular season.

Especially for the Texans' rookie class, who have gotten significant reps through Houston's showings against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, things have looked notably positive for a select few.

And with one preseason game––along with a joint practice––to go against the Carolina Panthers, the hope is those who have shined can keep that momentum up and put themselves in position for an ideal start to Week 1, kicking off in less than three weeks.

Let's take a look at five players around the Texans' roster who have emerged as surprise standouts through two weeks of preseason.

Jared Wayne | WR

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texans’ wide receiver room has been due for someone down the depth chart to stand out following the injury to Jayden Higgins, and third-year wideout Jared Wayne has stepped up to the occasion to do just that.

In game one of the Texans' preseason action, he hauled in Houston's only touchdown score of the day on an impressive red-zone catch on a ball from Davis Mills. He's totaled five receptions for 30 yards through two games, and is the only receiver on the roster to log multiple receptions in both games.

Jared Wayne and the Texans get out to an early lead

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— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026

There's a lot of uncertainty as to what the Texans' receiver room will look like come Week 1. But Wayne's recent performance could be creating an extremely compelling case that makes him the final name at the position to make it onto the roster past cutdown day.

Marlin Klein | TE

Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Marlin Klein (83) runs after the catch against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Keyron Crawford (42) in the first half at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Klein really needed a big preseason to showcase why the Texans invested in him so highly in April's draft with a second-round pick. And so far, he's done just that.

In Klein's first game, he had a game-high 31-yard reception that really put him on the map. In game two against the Raiders, Klein had an equally strong day with three catches on four targets for 31 yards.

OKAY MARLIN‼️

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— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 14, 2026

Klein had a slow start to the Texans' offseason program earlier this summer, but his recent emergence could shoot him much further up the depth chart entering Week 1 from what anyone initially expected.

Wade Woodaz | LB

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) returns an 80 yard interception against Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) in the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Woodaz seems likely to miss some time moving forward, as the rookie linebacker suffered a broken thumb in the Texans' second preseason game against the Raiders. But the sample size he's shown thus far is really promising for what his future will look like in this Houston defense.

Game one resulted in Woodaz putting together a quiet two tackles, but his second game against the Raiders is where he really shined: two total tackles, a pass defended, and an interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown on this year's No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.

OPEN UP A CAN OF WOODAZZZZZZ 🤯

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— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 21, 2026

Time will tell how long it'll be until Woodaz is back in the fold, and whether or not he starts the season on injured reserve. But when he is back, there's a pretty solid chance he finds his way to that LB3 role on the depth chart that's been wide open since E.J. Speed's been out with a torn quad.

Aiden Fisher | LB

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Aiden Fisher (59) celebrates his tackle against Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson (32) in the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texans selected two linebackers in April's draft. And so far, both of them have been exceeding expectations when factoring in how well seventh-round pick Aiden Fisher has been producing through two showings.

Game one against the Chargers saw Fisher log a game-high seven combined tackles and one tackle for loss. Game two saw him collect a similarly impressive six combined tackles, which tied for second-highest on the Texans' defense in tackles behind Brandon Codrington.

Combining the recent injuries in the room with the performances of Fisher might be the perfect storm for Fisher to be someone who sneaks onto a 53-man roster spot, so long as he keeps the momentum going into this week's game against Carolina.

Jaylen Reed | S

Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans safety Jaylen Reed (23) looks across the line of scrimmage during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fifth-round rookie Kamari Ramsey deserves a shoutout for his interception on Trey Lance against the Chargers in week one of the preseason. But another safety in the room who's also performed well through two games is second-year talent Jaylen Reed, who's done nothing but produce strong numbers.

He has a combined 11 tackles with a pass defended in two games. He's one of three players with double-digit tackles through both games alongside Aiden Fisher and cornerback Stephen Hall.

Reed's chances to make the Week 1 roster were already pretty solidified entering training camp, but production like this certainly does lock that status in even further for what appears to be a deep and versatile safety room.

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