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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. 86 since the inaugural season in 2002.
Texans players to wear No. 86
No. 86 currently belongs to tight end Dalton Schultz. After a mixed career with the Dallas Cowboys, Schultz signed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2023 with the Texans. That season, he became a breakout security blanket for C.J. Stroud, catching 9 passes for 63 yards. The next offseason, he inked a three-year, $36 million extension.
An underwhelming 2024 season has put eyes on Schultz’s long-term status for beyond 2025. Because of his contract, Schultz will make the team this fall, but second-year pick Cade Stover out of Ohio State could take over a majority of first-team reps.
But is Schultz the best player to ever wear the No. 86 in a Texans’ uniform? Right now, he’s close.
- TE Dalton Schultz (2023-present)
- TE Mason Schereck (2022)
- WR Jester Weah (2018)
- TE James Casey (2009-2012
- WR Jabar Gaffney (2002-2005)
Best Player: Jabar Gaffney.
Schultz with a solid season will likely take over this spot in 2026, but Gaffney’s role as a No. 2 receiver in the early stages of the team’s tenure. Gaffney never took over games and was constantly dealing with injuries, but he averaged 42 catches over four seasons. He also finished with seven touchdowns and averaged 13.8 yards per attempt.
Gaffney wasn’t re-signed after his rookie contract was up, but many older Texans fans remember his impact as the secondary option behind Andre Johnson. With few options, it’s a process of elimination for
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