Watt of old starting to emerge from rust
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — One of the major questions surrounding Texans star defensive end J.J.
Watt was how long it would take for him to regain his old form and knock off the rust accumulated over the past two seasons due to serious injuries.
Watt broke his leg last season against the Kansas City Chiefs and missed the remainder of the season, undergoing surgery to repair the damage. The previous season, Watt was placed on injured reserve after a pair of back surgeries.
Now, Watt is back on the field and has had some impressive moments since the start of camp. The Texans are encouraged by what they’ve seen so far from the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“Oh man, he looks like he’s knocked the rust off pretty quick,” defensive line coach
Anthony Weaver said. “He looks strong, fast, physical. He’s getting some really good work in against Seantrel Henderson, who’s also looked really good.
“If you can play against him every day, all 300 whatever pounds of him, I think that’s a good test going into the season. I think he looks great.”
Healthy Watson energizes team
The healthy return of quarterback Deshaun Watson has energized the Texans.
Taking handoffs from Watson, running back Lamar Miller has sprung into action. Catching passes from Watson, All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre
Hopkins has been in sync with the second-year quarterback.
The leadership of Watson has been a theme throughout training camp.
“It means a lot, especially me,” Miller said. “We have high expectations of him and hold him to a higher standard. He knows that he has to come out here and compete every day to help us win.”
When Watson injured his knee last season as a rookie, it derailed the Texans’ hopes of competing.
With Watson back, expectations are high again.
“It’s good to have Deshaun back,” Miller said. “Right now, he’s been doing a great job of making sure everybody is doing their assignment. He’s just out there having fun, making the guys compete and just get better.”
With Clowney, it’s slow and steady
The long-term outlook for Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is a positive one.
The Texans are confident Clowney will be ready when it counts after being eased into camp after offseason arthroscopic knee surgery.
Clowney is limited in drills and hasn’t fully participated yet as the team is taking precautions with him.
“He’s been very limited in terms of what he’s done on the field, but he looks great,” defensive line coach Anthony Weaver said. “I know that’s the plan to get him as physically strong as we can just so hopefully we can avoid some of those injuries he’s had in the past that have nagged him throughout the season. So I’m excited. He’s in good spirits and when he’s in good spirits, I’m in good spirits.”
Watson, Martin on same wavelength
Deshaun Watson has a happy-go-lucky personality and a laid-back vibe. The quarterback is almost always smiling and rarely, if ever, displays frustration.
Working closely with center
Nick Martin, Watson found that their approaches to football
and life meshed extremely well.
They were roommates a year ago at training camp.
“Throughout the season, our relationship was building up,” Watson said. “Then, of course, I got hurt so I was kind of away from the team for a little bit. Then, we spent the whole offseason together. Me, him, J.J. (Watt), Whitney (Mercilus),
all of the guys that were in the training room working together got a lot closer.
“He’s a guy who’s fun. He’s open for anybody to come talk to him. He’s a guy that’s never mad, never angry — he’s always positive vibes. That’s the type of people I like to surround myself with. We’re both on the same page and have a great relationship.”
Coutee catching on fast for a rookie
The quick transition that rookie wide receiver Keke Coutee has made to the NFL level has made a fast impression on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Drafted in the fourth round out of Texas Tech, Coutee is challenging Braxton Miller to be the Texans’ slot receiver. A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Coutee caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Coutee has been dealing with a minor undisclosed injury, but he isn’t expected to be out long.
“He’s a guy that’s versatile,” Watson said. “He can do a lot of things in the slot position. A lot of guys are going to really have to be on their toes to cover him.
“He’s a very instinctive and smart guy, a guy that learns very quickly and understands what the defense is doing to him. He just finds openings. … It’s going to be a great addition for us.”
Hopkins returns to practice field
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned to practice after being excused from camp for the last few days for personal reasons. Hopkins traveled back to West Virginia on Wednesday.
Hopkins caught 96 passes for 1,378 yards and an NFL-high 13 touchdowns last season.