Texans' Braden Smith, Ali Gaye carted off from joint practice

Houston Texansright tackle Braden Smith and reserve defensive end Ali Gaye were carted off the field together Wednesday early in a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans offered no update on the nature of the injuries after practice or if they might miss any time. A source, however, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Texans believe Smith suffered a foot injury.

The injuries occurred on separate practice fields almost simultaneously and action was halted as the players were initially helped onto different carts. The carts then converged and both players were taken to the locker room on one cart.

Smith signed a two-year, $25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent earlier this offseason. He started 105 games during his eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, including 13 in 2025.

Smith is currently battling for the starting right tackle job with Trent Brown after beginning camp as the favorite to start Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

But in the last two weeks, Brown has run with the starting unit in practice. He also started Houston's second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders where the offense featured quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of the perceived starting offensive linemen.

Brown started seven games in 2025 and signed a one-year contract extension this past offseason worth up to $7 million.

Gaye came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has nine tackles and one sack during his career.

The Texans and Panthers play Friday night at Bank of America Stadium in the preseason finale for both teams.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime and The Associated Press contributed to this report.