Center Britt selected for courage award
Texans players voted center
Justin Britt as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner. The award, given to one player from every NFL team, honors players for their commitment to sportsmanship and courage.
Britt missed the 2020 season after suffering an ACL tear while playing for the Seahawks, and, after signing a one-year deal with the Texans, he has started in 10 games while missing six due to a knee injury and spending time on the COVID-19 reserve.
“This award means a lot to me,” Britt said. “You come into the league and you see that award and you’re like, ‘That’s not going to be me. I’m not going to have adversity go through my career.’ For the most part, I didn’t, and then just to be out last year and to be away from football and then have scratch and claw to get back and get the opportunity to come here and then have more stuff happen, it makes me feel nice and appreciated and loved at the same time to be recognized on my hard work and dedication I’ve put in.”
The Texans also honored three players with IMPACT awards for their work in the community. Tight end Jeff Driskel was named Newcomer of the Year, linebacker Garret Wallow was named Rookie of the Year, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor was named the Community MVP. The Texans’ strength and conditioning staff was given the staff award for the department’s work in the community.
Taylor, who grew up in the Boys & Girls Club in Hampton, Va., purchased 40 tickets and parking passes for all Texans home games this season for Boys & Girls Club families. Taylor also distributed turkeys and Thanksgiving sides to more than 200 Boys & Girls Club and YMCA families and gave 75 more kids a holiday party.
Driskel completed the most community service hours. He visited schools, handed out meals to veterans and visited the Boys & Girls Club. During the offseason, he will be serving hospital patients in Orlando.
Wallow spent time with underserved youth and military members, and he volunteered to create care packages and notes of encouragement to people undergoing breast cancer at the Houston-based American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. He honored his mother, Nana, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2014 during My Cause My Cleats.
Pierre-Louis is back; Driskel in protocols
The Texans activated reserve linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis from the COVID-19 reserve list Thursday and placed tight end
Jeff Driskel, who was on the injured reserve, in the team’s coronavirus protocols following a positive test.
Driskel joins starting safety
Justin Reid as the team’s second player on the COVID reserve.
Reid, who started in Sunday’s loss in San Francisco, was added to the list Monday. Players can return to action five days after testing positive so long as they’re asymptomatic, according to the NFL’s updated policies, and coach David Culley said “there’s a chance” Reid could play in the season finale against the Titans.
Johnson will be at regular-season finale
Former Texans wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist will serve as the team’s home-field advantage captain for Sunday’s game regular-season finale against the Titans at NRG Stadium.
Johnson is the franchise’s alltime leading receiver with 1,012 catches, 13,597 yards and 64 touchdown receptions. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 draft, Johnson was a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection who helped the Texans win two AFC South championships in 2011 and 2012, reach the playoffs for the first time and win the franchise’s first playoff game.
Johnson, who played his first 12 seasons with the Texans and is in his first year of eligibility, made the list of 15 modern-era finalists that was announced last week. A 48-member selection committee will vote for a maximum of five modern-era finalists. Finalists must receive 80 percent of the votes to be inducted. The results will be revealed on the NFL Honors Show on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, site of Super Bowl LVI.
“I didn’t come to the Texans saying I wanted to be in the Hall of Fame,” Johnson said last week. “I wanted to be a great player and play the game the right way.
“I think being a finalist shows all the hard work and dedication to my craft wasn’t something I took for granted. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s to come.”