Fuller likely out 2-3 months
Broken collarbone to keep wide receiver out of starting lineup for 2 to 3 months
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — A few minutes after he made a terrific catch and run cutting across the middle, Texans second-year receiver Will Fuller ran down the left side and jumped for a ball.
Fuller came down hard on his right side. He got up slowly. Geoff Kaplan, the head athletic trainer, came to Fuller’s aid. Kaplan reached under Fuller’s right shoulder pad, felt around, and then they walked slowly off the practice field and into The Greenbrier Sports and Performance Center.
The Texans were hoping for a shoulder bruise or sprain, but X-rays disclosed the bad news: Fuller had suffered a broken collarbone that would require surgery. He’ll be lost for two to three months.
Injuries are part of football, of course, but that doesn’t make them any easier to accept. Fuller’s loss leaves the Texans vulnerable at a position that needs to be strengthened.
Fuller, last year’s first-round pick, contributed 47 catches for 635 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He also beat Tennessee with a punt return for a touchdown and may have won that job again.
Now the Texans need a replacement to play opposite DeAndre Hopkins, who has
been magnificent in training camp, making onehanded catches routinely all over the field.
Braxton Miller and Jaelen Strong, thirdround picks in each of the last two years, will get the first shot at replacing Fuller.
Miller, drafted last year, had 15 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown before being placed on 2016 injured reserve.
Strong, drafted in 2015, caught 14 passes for 131 yards last season before getting injured.
What the Texans need from Miller or Strong — or both — is for one of them to do what players like cornerback A.J. Bouye and center Greg Mancz did in 2016 at their respective positions.
Bouye and Mancz got playing time because of injuries to cornerback Kevin Johnson and center Nick Martin, and both capitalized on their opportunities. Are new WRs worthy?
Since camp began last week, Texans general manager Rick Smith has brought in two new receivers — Devin Street and DeAndrew White — both veterans. Now he needs another one.
Street has made 10 catches in three seasons. White has two receptions in two seasons.
As soon as Smith got the diagnosis on Fuller, he and his pro personnel department most assuredly started looking for another receiver to acquire.
Will that receiver be a veteran like Street or White, who played for multiple teams but didn’t contribute much? Might Smith be interested in an aging veteran like Anquan Boldin, who’s 36 but still wants to play?
Could a trade be possible? The Texans don’t have their first- and secondround picks in the 2018 draft. Both belong to Cleveland. It’s doubtful Smith would sacrifice another pick, but he might be willing to part with a player for a receiver.
Right now, it’s all speculation, but the Texans definitely need another wideout while hoping Fuller makes a fast recovery and returns sooner rather than later.
The last thing an inexperienced starting quarterback like Tom Savage needs is to lose one of his starting receivers. Someone will have to step in for Fuller and produce. Tight ends must step up
Not to be lost is the expected production from tight ends C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin.
Last season, Fiedorowicz and Griffin had breakout years, combining for 104 catches for 1,001 yards and six touchdowns. Without Fuller lining up outside and providing the offense with a genuine deep threat, Fiedorowicz and Griffin will have to work the middle of the field as they did last season.
Fuller won’t be the last serious injury a starter suffers. The Texans are fortunate because Fuller won’t be lost for the season. They should hope they can be as fortunate as last season, when Bouye and Mancz played beyond expectations when they were called on.