82 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 82?

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. 82 since the inaugural season in 2002.

Texans players to wear No. 82

No. 82 currently belongs to third-round pick Jaylin Noel, whom the Texans believe can be a quality starting slot option after two promising years at Iowa State. The 5-foot-10 pass-catcher is an explosive athlete who makes up for his overall route-running skills with strength after contact and solid hands.

After posting back-to-back 60-plus catch seasons while totaling over 800 receiving yards, Noel's value as a third-round pick might make him a steal in the AFC South for C.J. Stroud and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Still, he's yet to play a snap with the Texans, so he can't be the greatest player to ever wear No. 82.

Could that change after the 2025 season? Perhaps. Mostly because the list is boring after one other name in the last two decades.

• WR Jaylin Noel (2025)
• WR Dionate Johnson (2024)
• WR Steven Sims (2023-2024)
• WR Isaiah Coulter (2020)
• WR Wendall Williams (2016)
• WR Keshawn Martin (2012-2014)
• LS Clark Harris (2008)
• TE Ben Steele (2006)
• TE Billy Miller (2002-2004)

Best Player: Steven Sims

Because of a punt return, Sims wins by default. While the Texans fell short in the 2023 AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Sims gave Houston a chance with his 67-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Outside of that, no one has done a thing to warrant consideration. Noel, with multiple touchdown receptions this fall, would qualify for the title after one season.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 82 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 82?