IMAGE: Houston Texans offensive tackle Braden Smith (71) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. / Troy Taormina / Imagn Images
The Houston Texans got a brutal scare on Wednesday when two players were carted off during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, and both injuries came on separate fields at nearly the same time.
Right tackle Braden Smith was one of the players who needed immediate help, and linebacker Ali Gaye was the other. Neither player could put weight on the leg involved, and a single medical cart was used to take both inside for further evaluation.
Reporters at the session described both injuries as lower-leg issues, with official tests still to come. Texans medical staff are set to run comprehensive imaging exams Thursday morning to determine the extent of the damage and set a recovery timeline.
Smith’s situation is especially concerning for Houston after the team signed him to a two-year, $25 million contract in March 2026 to shore up the offensive line and give C.J. Stroud better protection. The move came after the Texans traded offensive tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, and general manager Nick Caserio went to free agency looking for an experienced answer up front.
Smith arrived in Houston after the first eight years of his career, during which he started over 100 games for the division-rival Indianapolis Colts.
For now, the Texans are waiting on the imaging results, hoping neither injury turns into a long-term problem. The practice session was a harsh reminder of how quickly things can unravel in training camp before a single game is even played.
