Receiver Coutee has a healthy optimism
The last time that Texans receiver Keke Coutee and quarterback Deshaun Watson collaborated in an actual football game, their chemistry was electric.
Although the Texans ultimately fell short in an AFC wild-card round playoff game to Indianapolis, the Colts’ secondary had no answers for the connection between the elusive slot receiver and one of the top dualthreat passers in the league.
Coutee caught 11 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown on 14 targets during that playoff loss. It marked the top individual highlight for the fourth-round draft pick from Texas Tech during a rookie season severely abbreviated by chronic hamstring problems.
“That was just me listening to my body at the end of the year and being able to make plays when my name is called,” Coutee said Thursday after catching a touchdown pass from Watson during a training camp practice. “That’s what I like to do. The loss stuck with us. It hurt to lose to a team in your division. We put that behind us and this is a new year upon us.”
Healthy and rejuvenated after an offseason spent correcting flexibility and strength imbalance issues in his legs, Coutee has picked up where he left off with Watson at the end of last season. At camp, Coutee has made a series of explosive catches to turn short passes from Watson into long gains and touchdowns.
“I feel like with a full season and just staying healthy, the sky is the limit for me,” Coutee said. “Last season was last season. My main goal is to stay out there all 16 games.
“It was a long season for me, being hurt for the first time. I have a consistent daily approach to be available for my team.”
The fluidity that Coutee displays in the slot creates excitement about the Texans’ offense.
With DeAndre Hopkins, deep threat Will Fuller and Coutee, the Texans have a dynamic receiving corps. When they’re all healthy and on the field together, opposing defenses will have major matchup issues.
As Hopkins has stated, the Texans have the makings of a potent offense.
“It’s very exciting, if all three of us can get out there every game,” Coutee said. “I feel like we have one of the best offenses in the league with all of the talent that we have.”
Coutee was limited to just six regularseason games last season. In that limited action, Coutee caught 28 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown. That extrapolates to 74 catches and 765 yards in a full season.
With expanded playing time and games, Coutee is capable of producing a lot more. Not that he’s concentrating strictly on numbers, though.
“No statistical goals, just to be out there as much as I can,” Coutee said. “I feel like just believing in myself I can always make things happen with the ball in my hands.
“I feel more comfortable with the offense and the way I approach things. Coming into my second year, I feel real comfortable and ready to compete.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien is confident the Texans have finally found the slot receiver they had been looking for with the addition of Coutee. After unsuccessfully plugging in Braxton Miller and other players in that role, Coutee has emerged as the solution.
O’Brien didn’t make comparisons between Coutee and past receivers he’s coached, including Wes Welker and Julian Edelman.
“Each guy is a little bit different in their skill set, but those are obviously two great players that you mentioned that I've had the privilege of coaching,” O’Brien said. “Keke is an excellent young player. Had an awesome spring after coming off of a tough year dealing with some injuries and things, but really put the time in.
“He works hard; he's a very dynamic player on the practice field, and the big thing for him will just be really staying healthy, being consistent and keep working the way he's working. I think he's got an excellent future in the league, no doubt about it."
The aforementioned Welker, a retired former Pro Bowl wide receiver, left the Texans’ staff and is now coaching the San Francisco 49ers’ receivers.
Coutee spent last season soaking up knowledge from the fellow former Texas Tech standout.
“I learned a lot from Wes just because he played the position and the Tech connection as well,” Coutee said. “He taught me a lot of ins and outs of the slot receiver. I was very fortunate to have him."
Coutee has made strides in his flexibility and strength to avoid future soft-tissue injuries. That includes practicing Graston techniques: soft-tissue mobilization therapy to break up fascial restrictions and scar tissue adhesions.
Following his final hamstring injury last season, Coutee spent time working with local chiropractor Tony Tran for extra treatment. Coutee has invested in his body and put a lot of time and resources into being as healthy and fit as possible. He’s emphasized proper hydration and striking a balance in his training and muscle development.
“Just being able to strengthen it more, the imbalance in both legs,” Coutee said. “Things like strengthening it and rehabbing it is really helping me at this stage right now."
Because Coutee is on the field all of the time now, he’s had extra time to work on his timing with Watson. That’s a critical element for any quarterback and receiver, but particularly so for a receiver who makes his living on short, underneath routes.
“It’s a big difference,” Watson said. “Last year, he first started off with a hamstring problem so we didn’t have too many reps. But now having the whole spring and whole offseason and now being able to start training camp healthy and getting on the same page and seeing different looks, it’s going to take us a long way.”