The Houston Texans might have received the best news possible regarding offensive tackle Braden Smith's return.
According to reports, Smith, who was carted off during Wednesday's joint practice against the Carolina Panthers
, suffered an injury to his plantar fascia in his foot. While it is expected that Smith will miss a few weeks, including the season opener, it is not considered a long-term injury.Smith signeda two-year, $25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent earlier this offseason after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts. He started 105 games, though injuries have been a problem since 2021.
Texans RT Braden Smith, who was carted off from practice this week, suffered an injury to his plantar
fascia. He could miss “a few weeks”, per a source, but it is not considered a long-term injury. pic.twitter.com/3gswSucqnp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2026
Over the past four seasons, Smith has missed at least two games per year, including four down the stretch for the Colts last fall.
Entering training camp, Smith wasn't promised the starting right tackle job. Over the past several weeks, he's been battling for first-team reps with Trent Brown, a veteran who started seven games for Houston's offensive line last season.
Over the past week, Brown has taken the lead during drills. In Thursday's preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, he started at right tackle with the first-team offense, featuring quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of the projected starting offensive linemen.
“We didn't have Trent, he wasn't able to go through Training Camp. I know for anybody who's able to go through camp and get those reps, it's only going to be beneficial for you to come to the season and Trent has done a good job," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said last week. "We see if you look at the runs and when we're out there, if you're running behind Trent, there's going to be a lane and that's what he does. He moves people with ease.
"He's one of the better guys with his size and his ability. I think the quarterback likes him and also the running backs like running behind him because he provides that kind of lane for us.”
The Texans will close out the preseason on Friday against Carolina. Starters are not expected to see action.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans receive promising update on OT Braden Smith ahead of season opener
