Coutee displays his best in finale
Texans rookie wide receiver
Keke Coutee was more than worth the wait after missing the final five games of the regular season.
The fourth-round draft pick from Texas Tech made an impact during a playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, displaying the production and quickness the Texans were looking for out of the slot position.
Coutee caught 11 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown on 14 targets Saturday.
“It felt good to be back out there with the guys,” Coutee said. “Of course, everybody wanted to win, but we didn’t. I was just happy to just be back out there after everything I went through this season.”
Because of three separate hamstring injuries, Coutee only played in six games with two starts during the regular season. He caught 28 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown.
“Keke did a good job,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Keke made some plays for us. We think he’s got a real bright future.”
Hopkins won’t need shoulder surgery
Texans All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins wasn’t coming off the field despite a painful shoulder injury.
Hopkins remained in the game despite suffering a Grade 3 AC sprain during the first half in the 21-7 AFC wild-card playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
“It was tough, but you’ve got to play through injuries,” Hopkins said. “I messed up my shoulder. It is what it is, it’s football. It was very difficult, but I tried to get up for my team.”
Hopkins said he won’t need to undergo offseason surgery to repair the damage.
Hopkins was limited to five catches for 37 yards and no touchdowns. When asked to explain what happened offensively against the Colts, Hopkins replied: “I can’t, man. I really can’t.”
Quarterback Deshaun Watson praised Hopkins for playing hurt and outlined the Colts’ defensive strategy to contain the Texans’ top offensive weapon.
“Man, the determination,” Watson said. “He wants to be out there for his teammates. He never complained.
“Nothing changed. He still said to look for him, give him a chance. The Colts did a good job of playing a guy underneath, a guy over top. They kind of cut off certain things you really can do.”
Hopkins caught 115 passes for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season.
“I’m proud of this team for even being where we are right now in this position,” he said. “We got a real good team. We got a lot of tough guys in here. We’ll be back next year.”
Jackson, Mathieu hope to be back
When former All-Pro safety
Tyrann Mathieu joined the Texans on a one-year, $7 million contract last March after the Arizona Cardinals asked him to take a pay cut, he hoped it would be the start of a long-term relationship.
Mathieu would ideally like to be back with the Texans with his contract expiring, but he’ll have options and he will be expensive. Both sides are motivated to work out a financial compromise.
“It was cool,” Mathieu said. “There were a lot of ups and downs. One thing I’ll take from this season is the way everyone rallied around me and really supported me. Hopefully, I’ll be here.”
With his four-year, $34 million contract expired and being named a Pro Bowl alternate in a year where he made $6.5 million, cornerback Kareem Jackson is hoping he’s done enough to earn a new deal from the Texans.
A former first-round draft pick from Alabama, Jackson has played for the AFC South franchise for his entire nine-season career.
“I would definitely love to be back,” Jackson said. “I built a lot here as far as off the field with my family. Being in this organization for nine years, it’s been great to be here. I’ve learned a lot. It’s been a lot of growth and progression for me as a player and as a man.
“It’s a great organization. I’ve loved being here for nine years. I would definitely love to continue my career here. At the end of the day, that may not be in my control. For me, it’s all about making the best decision for me and my family. I would love to be here for the duration of my career.”
Rib injury makes a painful day for Reid
Texans rookie safety Justin
Reid injured his ribs, forcing him out of the game.
Reid got hurt during the end of the first half while defending a pass in the end zone intended for tight end Eric Ebron.
A third-round draft pick from Stanford, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers safety Eric
Reid recorded 81 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble during the regular season. He returned an interception 101 yards for a touchdown at Washington.