What happened: Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has named the team's captains for the 2026 season. The announcement comes as Houston enters the regular season under Ryans, now in his second year with this core roster.

Why it matters: Captain designations mark which players Ryans and the coaching staff have entrusted with locker-room leadership heading into the season. The move follows an offseason in which Houston reshaped its roster through trades and contract talks, adding weight to who steers the team through Week 1 and beyond.

What to watch: Watch how the newly named captains handle their roles once Houston's regular season opens.