Watson’s play has teammates confident in team’s direction
When Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson is under center, in the shotgun formation or rolling out of the pocket, his teammates and coaches feel confident that he has them heading in the right direction.
Watson completed 16 of 31 passes for 261 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 119.8 passer rating in Sunday’s 42-34 loss to the Chiefs.
The Texans feel like they always have a shot to be competitive with Watson at the controls.
“There’s no doubt about it, when you have a guy like that,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Look, I know he’s only a 22-year-old rookie and he’s learning every day and he’s got the poise and the demeanor that he has and the ability. I think our team needs to understand that and to understand that you’ve got this guy under center and at shotgun out there playing for you, you’ve got a chance in every single game.”
After this performance, including three touchdown passes to DeAndre Hopkins, Watson now has 1,072 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 100.7 passer rating for the season.
“His composure,” said Hopkins when asked what impresses him the most about Watson. “We were down however much we were down and he was sitting on the sideline rallying guys up, telling us we need to go out here and work on something or let’s try to score every time we touch the ball.
“Everybody knows he can run, but still he looks downfield to make plays. The throws that he made toward the end of the game were some special throws. He’s still young in the NFL, but the way he carries himself isn’t like a young quarterback.”
Houston, Sayles get workouts
Former Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lamarr Houston will work out for the Texans on Tuesday in the wake of season-ending injuries to defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Houston (6-3, 274) was a second-round pick by the Raiders in 2010 from the University of Texas.
Houston (25 career sacks) met with the Buccaneers on Monday.
The Texans are bringing in former Buffalo Bills cornerback Marcus Sayles for a workout.
Fuller provides boost for offense
Wide receiver Will Fuller has caught four touchdown passes in two games since returning from a broken collarbone.
The first-round draft pick from Notre Dame has created a deep threat for the Texans’ passing game, connecting with rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson for six receptions and 92 yards since returning from his injury.
“He had a pretty significant injury there with the collarbone and I give him a lot of credit,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a really good route-runner, he’s worked hard in the weight room to be stronger, to improve his hands, and he’s got great speed.”
Foreman bounces back after fumble
D’Onta Foreman, who fumbled for the first turnover of his young NFL career, was determined to make up for the mistake.
On the next drive against the Chiefs, he busted through and carried tacklers during a career-long 25-yard run following the fumble against the Chiefs that led to a field goal.
“After the fumble, I came to the sideline and my teammates just told me to forget it and move on,” Foreman said. “I knew when I got back in the game I was going to try to make up for it and, you know, I just ran hard.”
Foreman appreciated that coach Bill O’Brien gave him another shot after the fumble. “I got my opportunity to go back in and that was my thing, just let it go and just try to make up for it and I had a good run out there.”