After having missed four straight games with an ankle injury, Jaelen Strong‘s season is over. ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the Texans have placed the wideout on the injured reserve. Caplan also tweets that the team has promoted cornerback Denzel Rice from the practice squad to take Strong’s roster spot.
The 2015 third-round pick hasn’t done much during his first two seasons in the league. In eight games this season, Strong has hauled in only 14 catches for 131 yards. This was similar production to his rookie campaign, when he compiled 14 receptions for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Strong seemed to have a hold of the number-three receiver role in Houston, but rookie third-rounder Braxton Miller will now slide into that spot. The team is also rostering second-year wideout Keith Mumphery.
Despite the presence of DeAndre Hopkins and first-rounder Will Fuller, Houston wideouts have struggled mightily in 2015. The Texans have only compiled 2,509 receiving yards this season, the third-lowest mark in the league. Of course, that lack of production could be partially attributed to quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Rice, a 2015 undrafted rookie out of Coastal Carolina, could make his Texans debut this weekend. The 23-year-old made four appearances with the Eagles in 2015.