Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will breathe major sigh of relief after injury update on $20 million teammate

The Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers are currently engaged in joint practices ahead of their final preseason game. During practice on Wednesday, Braden Smith was carted off the field. The right tackle is in his first season with the Texans after getting a two-year deal to join the team in free agency.

Now, the Texans are getting good news about one of C.J. Stroud’s protectors, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.

“Texans, to be without Braden Smith for next couple weeks due to plantar fascia foot injuy, per league sources, have Trent Brown, a massive former Pro Bowl selection as starting right tackle and are pleased with development of third-year tackle Blake Fisher, who has 15 career starts,” Wilson posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Smith has been battling with Trent Brown for the starting right tackle job. Smith started 105 games with the Indianapolis Colts over the last eight seasons, including starting 13 games in 2025. Brown started seven games for the Texans last year and signed a one-year contract extension this offseason. He has been running with the starting unit as of late and got the start in the second preseason game.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans is also excited about the development of Blake Fisher.

“For Blake, I’ve definitely seen a focused guy. He’s improved a ton. If I gave out awards, he would get the award for the most improved offensive lineman. From what he did last year from being in that jumbo-type role, he lined up at left tackle every day and he’s gotten better every single day,” Ryans said. “I’m really pleased with Blake. I’m proud of the work that he’s put in. He’s shown up daily, he’s improved, he’s taking the coaching really well and that’s what it looks like. When you put the work in you can get better and Blake has shown that tremendously.”

While Stroud will be without one of his linemen, he has a new weapon, as the Texans added Kayshon Boutte in a trade. The Texans face the Panthers in their final preseason game on Friday night.

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