Versatile WR Braxton Miller has ‘come a long ways,’ O’Brien says
Braxton Miller is making a strong case that he shouldn’t be regarded as a bubble candidate on the Houston Texans’ roster.
The converted Ohio State quarterback has had an encouraging training camp and offseason, displaying versatility and more consistent hands.
Miller has also been more durable after battling injuries each of his first two NFL seasons.
It’s not as if he’s been a total bust because he’s displayed plenty of potential and is one of the Texans’ better all-around athletes.
Entering the third season of a four-year, $3.11 million contract, Miller faces a challenge for the slot receiver job from rookie wide receiver Keke Coutee. But Coutee is sidelined for a few weeks with a strained hamstring.
The Texans are noticing signs of progress from Miller, a former third-round draft pick and Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
“He’s come a long ways in the years he’s been here,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s going to have to go out there and continue to get better and improve, but I do see a lot of improvement with him.”
Miller had a career-long 57-yard reception against the Tennessee Titans and had four catches for a career-high 71 yards before leaving the game with a concussion last season.
He finished the year with a career-high 19 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown and has 57 career receptions for 261 yards and two scores.
Miller is lining up at several positions, not just the slot receiver spot.
“Absolutely, he’s a versatile guy,” O’Brien said. “He can do some different things: his skill set, his size, his ability to run downfield routes, run underneath routes. I think his hands have improved. I think his knowledge of our offense has improved. So I think he’s definitely a guy that can do a little bit of everything.”
Coutee, who was making a good impression before the injury, is expected to miss at least the Texans’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Drafted in the fourth round out of Texas Tech, Coutee was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season. He caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017.
Sloppy day: Splashing through puddles, the Texans’ linebackers celebrated the end of practice Friday with a series of slides in the rain.
It was an extremely soggy practice, one that tested the footing and focus of a team that rarely sees these monsoonlike weather conditions.
The players seemed to enjoy the experience, embracing the inclement weather.
“It’s important to have practices like this because obviously we’re going to play outdoor games early in the season,” O’Brien said. “Never know what the weather is going to be like up in the Northeast and the East Coast.
“I thought the guys handled it well. There were some really good teaching parts of practice that we can get off the film. Good situational practice, good day.”
It wasn’t easy for kicker Kai’imi Fairbairn, though. Trying to find his footing, he set his cleats, measured his target and split the uprights on a long field goal.
It was an impressive feat considering his feet were practically underwater, submerged in huge puddles.
Fairbairn pushed a few attempts wide right, too.
“He was in some puddles out there, and you know, look, he made some really good kicks,” O’Brien said.
Getting his work in: Brandon Dunn has built a hardworking reputation with the Texans.
He’s progressed from being constantly on the bubble of the roster and the practice squad to a regular part of the defensive line rotation.
Dunn played in every game last season with eight starts and recorded a career-high 26 tackles.
The former undrafted free agent from Louisville reported to training camp in great shape and is primed for a contributing role again this year.
“Yeah, I love Dunn,” defensive line coach Anthony Weaver said. “He’s a guy that he just comes to work every day, he puts his hard hat on, and he goes to work. So he’s definitely one of the leaders in our group, and all he does is come out here and continue to get better.”