The Houston Texans had six wide receivers on the active roster heading into the week: Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, John Metchie III, and Diontae Johnson. However, Houston’s receiving corps could be shorthanded against the Kansas City Chiefs. Woods didn’t participate in yesterday’s practice due to a hip injury, putting his availability in question for Saturday afternoon.
The Houston Texans parted ways with disgruntled receiver

The Texans waived Diontae Johnson yesterday after two weeks with the team. Johnson was released because he was disappointed with his minimal role on offense after hoping to be more than an emergency option. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, after the game, teammates and captains attempted to calm the disgruntled receiver down after he was visibly upset about having a minimal role on the offense against the Los Angeles Chargers. This is the fourth time a team has moved on from him this season, which will negatively impact his free-agent market.
Since Johnson is no longer on the roster, Robert Woods’ availability for the Divisional Round is in question, and John Metchie III is struggling, the Texans needed to address the wide receiver position.
The Texans promoted a 2023 undrafted free agent to the active roster

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Houston Texans promoted Jared Wayne to the active roster following the departure of their disgruntled receiver. Now that Wayne is on the active roster, they currently have five wide receivers on their 53-man roster. There is a chance he will play against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he would likely play on special teams and have a minimal role on offense.
With the release of WR Diontae Johnson yesterday, the #Texans have now promoted WR Jared Wayne to the 53-man roster.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2025
Here’s a quick review of his NFL career

Jared Wayne went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Houston Texans signed him as an undrafted free agent. The Texans released Wayne during the final round of roster cuts in his rookie season, but they later re-signed him to their practice squad. He spent most of the 2023 season on the practice squad and did not appear in any games as a rookie.
The Texans waived/injured Wayne late in July but later re-signed him to the practice squad in early October. They elevated him for Weeks 13, 16, and 17. The former undrafted free agent played 40 offensive snaps but didn’t register a target or reception and also participated in 24 special teams snaps in those three games.