Texans' Jaylen Reed: Plays seven games in rookie season
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Reed registered 14 tackles (nine solo) and one fumble recovery across seven regular-season games for the Texans in 2025.
It was an injury-riddled year for the rookie sixth-rounder, who opened the regular season on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. He made his NFL debut in Week 7 and mostly served on special teams outside of Week 12 against the Bills, when he started at safety and logged 12 tackles (nine solo) and a fumble recovery. However, Reed broke the metal plate in his forearm the following week against the Colts, an injury that necessitated another stint on IR, though he was activated prior to the Texans' AFC wild-card win against the Steelers. It's worth noting that Reed was the Texans' starting safety for the team's two playoff games in the absence of M.J. Stewart (quadriceps, IR), and the former could be Houston's starter in 2026 alongside Calen Bullock.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Records three stops vs. Steelers
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Reed (knee) tallied three tackles (one solo) during Monday's 30-6 wild-card playoff round win over Pittsburgh.
Reed was briefly forced off the field Monday, but per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, he managed to return to action. The rookie sixth-round pick ended the regular season on IR but managed to return to action in time for Houston's playoff opener, and while he could be listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup on the road against New England, it appears Reed will be able to play through any issues relating to his knee.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Full participant in practice
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Reed (forearm) was a full participant in Houston's practice Saturday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Reed is trending toward making his return after having been designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the week. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for the last five weeks but should resume his role as a special teamer and depth defender if he manages to suit up for Monday's wild-card matchup versus the Steelers.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Designated for return from IR
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Reed (forearm) was designated for return from injured reserve Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Reed can resume practicing, though Houston would need to follow up with a roster move adding him to the active roster for the safety to be eligible to play in Monday's wild-card round road game against the Steelers. The rookie sixth-round pick dressed for seven games in the regular season but has been on injured reserve since Dec. 6.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Lands on IR
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The Texans placed Reed (forearm) on injured reserve Saturday.
Reed will be forced to miss at least four games after breaking a metal plate in his forearm during the team's Week 13 win over the Colts. With the 22-year-old sidelined, Jalen Pitre is expected to shift over to safety alongside Calen Bullock, while Myles Bryant should fill in as the starting slot cornerback.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Won't play vs. Kansas City
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Reed (forearm) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Reed was unable to practice all week while recovering from a procedure for a broken metal plate in his forearm that he suffered during the Texans' Week 13 win over the Colts. A timeline for his return hasn't been established, but his next opportunity to play is Week 15 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 14. Reed got the start safety in Week 13 against the Colts, and in his absence, Jalen Pitre is likely to shift over to safety alongside Calen Bullock while Myles Bryant serves as the slot corner.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Breaks plate in forearm
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Reed needs surgery after breaking a metal plate in his forearm during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Colts, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Reed had a metal plate in his forearm from his time at Penn State, and it was damaged while trying to bring down Jonathan Taylor in the Week 13 win. The rookie safety had just earned a starting spot after recording 12 total tackles and one fumble recovery in the Week 12 victory over the Bills. It's currently unclear how long Reed will be sidelined for, but it's unlikely that he's able to return for the Week 14 matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Game-high 12 stops in TNF win
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Reed posted 12 tackles (nine solo) and a fumble recovery during the Texans' 23-19 win over the Bills on Thursday.
Reed mostly served on special teams over his five games prior to Week 12, but he was thrust into a starting position at safety after practice squad member Jalen Mills started against the Titans in Week 11. Reed took advantage of the opportunity, leading both teams with 12 tackles while recovering a Khalil Shakir fumble late in the third quarter that led to a 26-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn seven plays later. With Jimmie Ward (foot) still on the PUP list and M.J. Stewart (quadriceps) out for the rest of the season, Reed could be the Texans' second starting safety alongside Calen Bullock over the coming weeks.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Remaining on IR
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Reed (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Reed was designated to return from IR on Wednesday and ended the week on a high note with a full practice Friday. However, the rookie sixth-rounder is not quite ready to make his NFL regular-season debut, and with the Texans on a bye Week 6, his next opportunity to do so will be Week 7 against the Seahawks on Monday, Oct. 20.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Returning from injury soon
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Reed (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday.
Reed now has 21 days to be added to the Texans' active roster before reverting to IR. The rookie safety from Penn State has yet to appear in an NFL game after recording 98 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss, and three interceptions during his final collegiate season. Once healthy, he's expected to serve as one of the Texans' top reserve safeties.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Expected to come off IR
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Reed (ankle) is expected to be activated from the injured reserve list this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
This is the first week that Reed is eligible to return, after he opened the season on the IR with a designation to return. If the Texans eventually make it official, Reed's 21-day window will kick in. Once Reed is ready to return to the field, the 2025 sixth-round draft pick is expected to be a backup on defense and serve as a regular on special teams. Reed was initially hurt in training camp during a special teams portion of practice.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Placed on IR, designated to return
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Reed (ankle) was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return Tuesday.
Reed has been recovering well from the sprained knee he suffered in early August, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, but he will now be forced to miss at least four games to open the 2025 campaign. The rookie was competing for a depth role at strong safety behind starter Calen Bullock, and Russ Yeast sticks out as the most likely candidate to handle the No. 2 role for the time being.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Hurts leg in practice Friday
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Reed injured his leg during Friday's practice and will likely miss a few weeks, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Reed was hurt while participating in the special teams portion of practice. He had to be helped off the field by trainers and is likely to miss multiple weeks. Reed has been working with the second- and third-team defenses throughout camp and is slated for a depth role in Houston's secondary as well as a spot on special teams if he makes the squad. Given the timing of his injury. his status for Week 1 could be in danger.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Snagged by Houston in sixth round
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The Texans selected Reed in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 187th overall.
Reed spent his four-year college career at Penn State and played alongside Jaquan Brisker and Ji'Ayir Brown. Reed started in each of his last two years for the Nittany Lions, and in 2024 he led the team in tackles (98) and interceptions (three) while being named to the Second Team All-Big Ten. He has the speed and competitive urgency to cover a lot of ground in the passing game and thrive in blitz schemes. However, Reed also showed a tendency to miss some crucial tackles due to that speed and angle discipline, which could limit him to backup duties and special teams if he can't cut down on those mistakes at the NFL level.
