Yates finds himself in familiar position
For years, T.J. Yates has provided the Texans with capable emergency insurance to bolster their injury-riddled quarterback position.
Once again, Yates is being called upon to start for the Texans.
With Tom Savage still in the NFL concussion protocol after being hurt Sunday in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Yates is preparing to start next Sunday on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite this being his first game since a Nov. 16, 2015, Texans win over the Indianapolis Colts during which his tore his anterior cruciate ligament, Yates performed well. Yates completed 14 of 26 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 100.6 passer rating. He rushed for 31 yards on three carries.
“He did a good job,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s in a tough spot there, any time you’ve got to come into a game like that and you haven’t gotten a lot of reps during the week.
“He’s done that before for us. He’s a pro. He’s great guy to coach, very bright guy. I just wish I had made some better calls for him there in the second half to be able to put us over the top. But he did a good job.”
Both of Yates’ touchdown passes were delivered to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins was targeted 16 times and caught 11 passes for 149 yards.
“T.J. played good,” Hopkins said. “To come here and not get many reps with the starters during the week, late notice like that, I think he stepped up.”
Injured Watson supports coach
The collaboration between rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and coach Bill O’Brien was an extremely successful one.
Before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, Watson was on pace to finish the season with 43 touchdown passes. He finished the season with 21 total touchdowns.
Watson wrote on his Twitter account that he hopes O’Brien will return as the Texans’ coach. O’Brien said Monday he wants to be back.
“& I want OB with me! 100” Watson wrote.
Watson has made steady progress in his rehabilitation.
Watson finished his first NFL season with 1,699 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, two touchdown runs and 269 rushing yards. He’s on track to make a healthy return in time for next season.
“He’s in there every day, good spirits,” O’Brien said recently. “Certainly I’m not a doctor, but everything looks good. It’s trending upwards.”
O’Brien expects tight end back
Bill O’Brien reiterated that he anticipates tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz returning for next season despite suffering three concussions this season and twice being placed on injured reserve.
Fiedorowicz’s California-based agent told the Chronicle that the former Iowa standout wants to play and will take his time before making any decisions. League sources not authorized to speak publicly said that the Texans are concerned about Fiedorowicz’s short-term and long-term health because of his history of concussions but haven’t made any decisions. Fiedorowicz is signed to a three-year, $21.5 million contract.
“Again, I expect it that way,” O’Brien said of Fiedorowicz returning. “We think very highly of C.J. He just signed a contract extension here. We think he’s a really good tight end for us. So, we’d love to see him back.”
Cunningham excels inside
The strong return of Brian Cushing from a 10-game performance-enhancing drug suspension Sunday was a highlight for the Texans’ linebacker corps.
So was the play of rookie Zach Cunningham.
With Cushing lining up at Sam outside linebacker, Cunningham operated inside and recorded a gamehigh nine tackles. That included one tackle for a loss and splitting a sack with Cushing. The second-round draft pick from Vanderbilt had six solo tackles and one pass defensed.
“I thought he played well,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He was very active. He’s been active all year. Played a physical game and I thought he did some good things. There’s some areas where he can improve, but I definitely think it was one of his better games.”