Watson shows confidence at Texans camp
Watson’s mobility, confidence at camp proof QB has put a torn ACL behind him
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Deshaun Watson stayed after practice Tuesday afternoon to hone his craft, lobbing a series of accurate spirals to All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
It was a continuation of the work and skill the Texans’ quarterback has displayed throughout training camp.
Regardless of whether the Texans play Watson for a series or two Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, they’re feeling good about his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and his overall command of an offense tailored specifically to his dual-threat capabilities.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said it’s “more likely” than not that Watson will play in his first game since a loss to the Seattle Seahawks last October when he passed for 469 yards and four touchdowns days before injuring his knee in practice.
Watson isn’t exactly bucking to play at Arrowhead Stadium this week, but he certainly looks ready. And there’s little doubt Watson would like to see some action.
“Honestly, to me, if it happens, it happens,” Watson said. “It’s not a big deal. I’m just trusting the process that OB and the organization have for me, and I know it’s a good plan. So, I’m just kind of going with the flow and seeing what the game plan is for Thursday.”
A year ago, Watson was a rookie backup to starter Tom Savage when his first NFL training camp was over.
Now, Watson is about to leave The Greenbrier with the Texans breaking camp Tuesday as an established starter.
For the Texans, having that clearcut No. 1 is meaningful. They know Watson is the guy.
It’s a stark contrast to previous
years in the O’Brien era where there were competitions and uncertainty. And it’s a confidence boost to the franchise.
“It’s great,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “Obviously, to have a guy out there leading the offense and to come into a training camp where you know who the No. 1 is at the start of it, we haven’t had that in a while. It’s been very nice to have that.
“He does a great job with the guys. He has a good command of the offense. Obviously, he’s a special talent. It’s really nice to have somebody over there that’s leading and making sure that guys are all going in one direction and also is pretty damn good.”
Before he injured his knee in practice, Watson was on pace for 43 touchdown passes. He finished the season with 1,699 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.The former firstround draft pick from Clemson also rushed for 269 yards and two scores.
‘All signs are positive’
Watson has made a full recovery from his torn anterior cruciate ligament and had the offseason for the Texans to install plays that suit his skills.
Quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan agreed that Watson has only scratched the surface of what he can do.
“I think so. I mean, you’re looking at a section of what, five, six games?” Ryan said. “So when you take that, obviously, there’s more we can build on. It’s one of those things as we continue to grow with the offense, new ideas will come in based on certain things that we see or how defenses react to it.
“So, I think it’s always going to be evolving — it should be. We have a lot of good, creative coaches on the offensive side, and I expect it to continue that way.”
During camp, Watson has looked sharp throwing to Hopkins and Will Fuller. He appears to have his usual mobility rolling out of the pocket.
“I think he’s looked very good,” Ryan said. “To me, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of apprehension on his part. He’s doing what he does, moving around very well. So I think to this point, I think all signs are positive.”
It doesn’t take a doctor, a coach or a scout to see that Watson isn’t hesitating. He trusts his surgically repaired knee.
“You could tell he felt comfortable, and that’s the biggest thing with those knee injuries, is when they feel comfortable they’re confident they can do some things that they used to do,” Ryan said. “You saw that then and I think it has just continued. So it’s been an ongoing process, and he worked very hard to get himself to the spot he’s at physically. He was dedicated to his rehab, and it’s showing up.”
‘It’s a beautiful thing’
Although how Watson is moving seems somewhat remarkable, it isn’t to Watt who rehabbed his broken leg alongside the quarterback.
“No, because I was there with him every day. I don’t ever forget that,” Watt said. “We were both in there every day. He does look great. He’s doing great. I’m excited to see him play on the field again in a real game, because obviously out here we don’t get to get near him. He’s a special player. I enjoy watching him.”
The multidimensional skills, the mobility and the knack for making the right play at the right time, it all looks familiar to Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu.
How Watson goes about his business reminds Mathieu of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Mathieu said. “Any time you have a quarterback that’s special, just has that uncanny ability to just create things on the fly, it always gives you a chance to win a football game.
“I always mention Russell Wilson just because I played against him so much early on in my career. The things that he did for Seattle when they were completely out of a football game, he always brought them back. I think any time you have a quarterback of that caliber, it always helps you.”
Watson is upbeat about how the offense is clicking. He likes what the Texans are building and can’t wait for the regular season.
“It was good work, build some great chemistry, great friends and just build some relationships,” Watson said. “During the OTAs, it was kind of like a blur, everything is kind of happening fast. And, of course, in the summer everyone kind of went to their families and different places to work out. So, actually to come back up here and spend time together has been good.”