PITTSBURGH — The Houston Texans, dealing with some injuries at wide receiver, have tapped a former Pitt Panthers receiver to help fill the holes.

After releasing him at the end of training camp this past summer, the Houston Texans have resigned former Pitt standout Jared Wayne to their practice squad this week ahead of a date with the Arizona Cardinals this weekend.

Wayne improved steadily with each passing year at Pitt. He made four starts in 2019 and three in 2020 while hauling in a combined 39 passes for 587 yards and two touchdowns. He became a regular part of the receiver rotation in 2021, when he finished second in receptions (47), yards (658) and touchdowns (six) for that team’s record-setting, ACC Championship-winning offense. His final season was his best, when he caught 60 passes, for 1,062 yards and five touchdowns before declaring for the NFL Draft.

He flew under the radar during the draft process but turned some heads with impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash and vertical leap at his Pro Day. Scouts with the Texans clearly took notice and had seen enough between his film and in-person scouting to feel comfortable taking a flier on Pitt’s leading receiver from a year ago. They released him while he was dealing with a hamstring injury but will bring a healthy Wayne back late in the season.

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