Fuller taking cues from veteran Hopkins
Ever since his arrival three years ago, Texans wide receiver Will Fuller has built a rapport with All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
It’s akin to how Hopkins leans on retired former Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson for counsel about the nuances of the game. Hopkins talks, and Fuller listens to soak up knowledge from a veteran.
“We’ve been with each other since I got here and he’s been putting up outstanding numbers each and every year,” Fuller said. “It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is. It’s easy to look up to him because you know how great he is and I can learn something from him every day.”
Fuller left practice early Thursday with a trainer.
“Yeah, as far as I know he is, yeah,” coach Bill O’Brien said when asked if the former Notre Dame standout is OK.
The fastest player on the roster with a 4.28 time in the 40yard dash, Fuller loves interacting with Hopkins, and he’ll give Hopkins his feedback.
“We communicate,” Fuller said. “We just communicate about how each other runs our routes. We’re different receivers, so just communicating after every play or when we’re watching film on why I ran my route like that or why he ran his route like that and just challenging each other every day.”
One trait Fuller has taken away from Hopkins is his will to win.
“He’s the most competitive guy I know,” Fuller said. “It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, he always wants to win.”
Crennel to coach from sidelines
One of the most significant changes surrounding the Texans is the return of veteran assistant Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator.
Crennel operated as an assistant head coach last season as
Mike Vrabel ran the defense before being named as the Tennessee Titans head coach.
Now, Crennel will be right in the thick of things. He will coach from the sideline next to coach
Bill O’Brien after working from the coaches’ booth last season.
“I think the big thing is just having him on the sideline, I’m able to communicate with him a little better than when he was in the booth,” O’Brien said. “In the booth, it required switching over and a lot of different technicalities. I think on the sideline you have him down there running the defense and you’re right there next to him. So, you can talk to him. He can ask you what’s going on, what I think about things. So, it’s just a little bit easier when you’re right there next to each other.”
Thompson returns after concussion
Wide receiver and kick returner Chris Thompson, who returned to practice Thursday, is recovering well from a concussion that has lingered for nearly a month.
Thompson is expected to be medically cleared soon under the NFL concussion protocol.
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent a year ago out of the University of Florida, Thompson beat the odds and was promoted from the practice squad to become a valuable member of special teams last year.
He had a 42-yard kickoff return against the Titans and doubled as a gunner in kick coverage, utilizing his 4.37 speed in the 40-yard dash to outrace competitors down the field.
Watson doesn’t believe in jinxes
Quarterback Deshaun Watson has heard about the supposed Sports Illustrated jinx. He doesn’t believe it holds any credence after appearing on the cover this week.
This isn’t the first time the dual-threat quarterback has been featured on the magazine’s cover.
“I don’t believe in none of that,” Watson said. “I had it plenty of times in college and was very successful, so I don’t believe in none of that stuff.”
Watson considers it an honor, though.
“It’s always a blessing to be on a cover of a magazine,” Watson said. Not too many people get that opportunity, regardless of how many times you do it.”
Lengel drawing praise from O’Brien
Claimed by the Texans off waivers from the Browns in the spring, veteran blocking tight end Matt Lengel has made a good impression on coach Bill O’Brien.
Lengel is a strong presence at 6-7, 265 pounds. The former Eastern Kentucky standout won a Super Bowl with the Patriots.
Lengel has also played for the Bengals.
“Tough guy, really good guy, fun guy to coach,” O’Brien said. “Hardworking guy, just brings a lot of good work ethic and toughness to the position.”
Team gives back to victims of Harvey
The Texans hosted victims of Hurricane Harvey at practice Thursday. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins signed autographs for Eraina Garrett and Mya Wagner.
Defensive end J.J. Watt helped raise more than $37 million last year for victims.
“The more we can do for people who are still recovering from Harvey,” coach Bill
O’Brien said.
“I think J.J. put it best when he said it’s not going to take like a month. It might take a year. It might take two years. It might take three years. I think that Bob
McNair and this organization have done a great job over the years supporting everything in Houston.”