The Houston Texans have officially named their captains for the 2026 NFL season as they prepare for their Week 1 opener against the Buffalo Bills. The team has selected four players to lead this year, which is one less than last season's roster of captains.
The appointed captains are quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and defensive back Jalen Pitre. This selection marks a slight change from the previous year, as veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale is no longer with the team after being cut from the Las Vegas Raiders and is currently a free agent.
Pitre, however, will be making his debut as a captain, taking the place of wide receiver Nico Collins, who was a captain last season but was not selected this year.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the importance of leadership within the Texans' locker room, which includes several former captains. The team's culture has been shaped by recent efforts to recruit strong personalities, with new players like safety Reed Blankenship, who was a captain with the Philadelphia Eagles, joining the roster this offseason.
Additionally, the Texans drafted several players who served as captains in college, with half of their eight draft picks holding that distinction.
