81 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 81?

USA Today

4 hours ago

81 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 81? Jayden Higgins or Owen Daniels? Which player comes out on top?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast.
Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has won No. 81 since the inaugural season in 2002.
Texans players to wear No. 81
No. 81 currently belongs to wide receiver and second-round pick Jayden Higgins, whom the Texans believe can be a quality starting vertical option after two promising years at Iowa State. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher is an explosive athlete who makes up for his overall route-running skills with strength after contact and solid hands. He's also been consistent, hauling in at least six touchdown receptions over his two years in Ames.
In 2024, Higgins took over games, guiding the Cyclones to their first 11-win season in program history. Not only did he average over 16 yards per reception, but his 1,183 receiving yards ranked top five among Big 12 targets. Jaylin Noel, the Texans' third-round pick, finished with 1,194 yards.
Higgins very well could be the greatest player in franchise history to don the number down the line, but there's a right answer entering the summer. It's been the only answer since he left the team in 2013.
WR Jayden Higgins (2025)
TE Eric Saubert (2023)
TE Khale Warring (2019-2020)
TE Anthony Denham (2014)
TE Owen Daniels (2006-2013)
TE Matt Murphy (2004-2005)
TE Atnaf Harris (2002)
Best Player: Owen Daniels
Of course the greatest tight end in franchise history was listed as the top name. After being drafted out of Wisconsin in the fourth round, few players were as consistent as Daniels in the Gary Kubiak era on offense.
Daniels was more than a quality receiver. He was a physical blocker in the run game and offered upside on special teams. In the passing game, Daniels added more of his fair share of numbers to keep the chains moving. In 2008, he posted a career-high 862 receiving yards and 70 catches, earning a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts. In 2012, Daniels made the Pro Bowl once more after posting six touchdowns and 716 receiving yards.
While he won't go down as the greatest Texans' pass-catcher, Daniels will be remembered as an influential target in helping the franchise complete the revival and punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time in 2009. A loyal follower of Kubiak, Daniels joined the former Texans head coach in Baltimore (2014) and later Denver (2015), helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers before calling it a career.
Houston history will remember Daniels well. Entering the 2025 season, he ranks third all-time in receptions (479), targets (602), receiving yards (4617), and touchdowns (29) while ranking seventh in yards per reception (12.0).