The Houston Texans are back at OTAs this week as they prepare to wrap up this phase of the offseason and head into mandatory minicamp on June 10. OTAs continue to be a great chance for coaches to work with everyone on the roster before the action ramps up in training camp.
However, one notable player wasn’t seen on the practice field at Tuesday’s practice. Adam Wexler of SportsTalk 790 reported that rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel wasn’t seen during the early portion of media viewing after participating in OTAs last week.
Anytime you see a player not participating in the media portion of practice, fans start to wonder if said player is hurt. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2, Noel, fellow rookie Graham Mertz, and veteran Braxton Berrios were working on the side field with the trainers.
The Texans did not disclose why Noel was working on the side field, but Houston fans hope that it isn’t anything too serious.
The rookie wide receiver has a chance to see the field this upcoming season with Tank Dell sidelined. Noel ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, which is nothing to overlook and could give the Texans an explosive playmaker who can take the top off the defense.
He can also be used in the return game on special teams, which could hopefully give Houston an advantage over its opponents. Noel possesses good acceleration and explosiveness, which should help him thrive in the slot at 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds.
Even though he’s on the smaller side for a receiver, Noel was still productive in his last two years at Iowa State.
Last season, he had 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns. Noel also averaged 17.7 yards per kick return and 15.3 yards per punt return. Among the healthy wide receivers on the Texans’ roster, no one else possesses that type of speed, which could help CJ Stroud go to another level in 2025.