The Texans like what they are seeing from rookie tight end Jordan Thomas.
There aren’t many tight ends in the NFL like Texans rookie Jordan Thomas.
The imposing sixthround draft pick from Mississippi State is a rare athlete at 6-5, 280 pounds, combining the size of an offensive lineman with the speed of a wide receiver.
“I think if you take a look at the landscape of the tight ends in the NFL right now, there aren’t too many guys like that,” Texans tight ends coach Tim
Kelly said. “With Jordan, it’s a process of us just trying to continue to teach him the intricacies of the position and the intricacies of the offense.”
Thomas hauled in a 27-yard pass in stride from quarterback Deshaun
Watson during a 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots to open the season.
“I wish we had come out with the win,” Thomas said. “I’m just happy I can go in and contribute. More to come, hopefully, just building that chemistry between me and Deshaun and him building that confidence in him throwing me the ball.”
The Texans love Thomas’ upside and envision more to come from him in the future.
Although Thomas still has a lot to learn, the former blue-chip junior college recruit has a ton of talent.
Kelly became sold on Thomas’ potential when he conducted a private workout with him prior to the draft during which the Mississippi native knocked him backwards in a blocking drill.
“Every day, it’s something that we have to work on with him because it’s not the most natural thing right now because he just hasn’t done a lot of it,” Kelly said. “When we went down there to work him out, obviously his size was the first thing you notice.
“He’s a big, strong, long guy. As far as the workout, I held the bag, I felt the pop and felt he was strong enough and willing enough.”
Punter prepared for homecoming
Growing up in Dickson, Tenn., Texans rookie punter Trevor Daniel was an All-American and all-district selection.
He was also a Tennessee Titans fan.
On Sunday, the former record-setting University of Tennessee punter will punt against his hometown team in his second NFL game.
His parents, Wade and
Kimberly, will be there along with several other family and friends.
“I’m pretty excited,” Daniel said. “The whole family, a lot of friends, are going to be there, a lot of people from my hometown. I feel comfortable. I feel ready.”
In his first NFL game against the Patriots, the Texans lost as Daniel averaged 38.3 yards on six punts. He downed three inside the 20-yard line.
Daniel beat out seventime Pro Bowl punter
Shane Lechler during the preseason.
“I think I was more effective than a 38-yard average, downing three inside the 20,” Daniel said. “It’s something to build on. Obviously, not my best outing. Working to get better.”
Ervin providing early returns
Before Texans kick returner and running back
Tyler Ervin tore his patellar tendon last season, the former fourth-round draft pick was off to a good start.
Now, Ervin is off to another encouraging start.
At New England, Ervin had 156 kickoff returns on five returns to average 31.2 yards. That included a 36-yard return.
He averaged 10 yards per punt return and caught a 12-yard pass during the third year of a four-year, $2.9 million contract.
It was the highest kickoff return average in a season-opener in Texans franchise history.
“I thought Tyler did some good things,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “There were some lanes there. We spent a lot of time on that.”
Fuller may make season debut
Texans starting wide receiver Will Fuller did well enough in practice this week that coach Bill O’Brien expects him to make his season debut Sunday against the Titans.
Fuller missed the seasonopener due to a strained hamstring that has lingered since the preseason.
Fuller had offseason arthroscopic knee surgery after dealing with a broken collarbone last season.
Fuller has bulked up to 185 pounds in hopes of improving his durability.