Moore to play slot vs. Colts
Chris Moore says he’s “ready to perform” in the Texans’ relief effort to fill in for injured slot receiver Danny Amendola, who’s expected to miss four weeks after undergoing knee surgery this week.
Moore, a six-year veteran, replaced Amendola in mid-October against the Patriots and recorded career highs in both catches (five) and yards (109) with a touchdown in the 25-22 loss.
Moore is one of three main receivers who’ve cycled through the slot position this season. Amendola was initially signed to fill in for Anthony Miller, who, after recovering from a preseason shoulder dislocation, was cut Oct. 6.
Moore filled in until Amendola’s Oct. 24 return against the Cardinals, and, now that Amendola is out again, the Texans could also lean on recently signed free agent Davion Davis, a former FCS AllAmerican at Sam Houston State.
“We’ve got a bunch of pros in our receiver room, so everybody’s ready to perform whenever it’s their name or their number being called,” Moore said. “At the end of the day, like I always say, you’ve just got to know every position and just be ready to go when they call you.”
The Texans and their 31st-ranked passing offense (186.5 yards per game) have struggled to produce explosive pass plays downfield this season.
Penalties, sacks and an inefficient run game that ranks last in the NFL with 3.2 yards per rush have contributed to Texans offensive drives that end too quickly and don’t provide advantageous opportunities to take deep shots.
Reserve CB Smith scores extension
First-year Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in training camp that he’d be open to negotiating new contracts during the season.
He’s followed through with his first in-season contract extension.
Tremon Smith ,areserve cornerback and return specialist, has signed a one-year, $1.6 million extension, a person familiar with the deal said Friday.
Smith, a four-year veteran, initially signed a oneyear, $1.1 million contract in March. He’s played in 11 games and took over kickreturn duties after the Texans released former return specialist Andre Roberts in mid-October.
Smith has returned six kicks for 156 yards in the last five games. Smith returned two kicks for 50 yards in Houston’s 21-14 loss to the Jets last Sunday, including a 28-yard return that set up a potential scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter.
Roster grappling with effects of flu
A packed Texans injury report includes five players who are either still sick or are recovering from the noncoronavirus-related illness that shut down the team’s practice Wednesday.
No players tested positive for coronavirus after several players turned up sick earlier this week with what ended up being the flu. Coach David Culley said the team’s medical team felt it was best to send players home on Wednesday for precautionary reasons and return to their normal schedule on Thursday.
Starting wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Chris Conley returned to practice Friday on a limited basis after recovering and are still considered questionable against the Colts. Running back David Johnson, the team’s leading rusher, did not practice all week and is also questionable due to the illness. Starting defensive tackle Roy Lopez missed Friday’s practice with the illness and is questionable, along with reserve lineman Cole Toner, who practiced with limitations.
Starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell was the only player affected by the illness this week who returned fully Friday and has been cleared to play.
Beyond the illnesses, Justin McCray, who’s started the last four games at right guard, has been ruled out due to a concussion he suffered last week against the Jets. Max Scharping is in line to start against the Colts.
Backup safety Terrence Brooks and defensive end DeMarcus Walker both will not play due to hamstring injuries sustained last week.