Hopkins’ streak of 79 games in jeopardy
Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ stellar season filled with acrobatic catches is likely coming to an end.
Hopkins is not expected to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts due to a calf injury, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Hopkins isn’t practicing this week putting his streak of 79 consecutive games in jeopardy.
This would mark the first game Hopkins has been sidelined in his five-year NFL career.
Signed to an $81 million contract extension prior to the season that included $49 million guaranteed, Hopkins leads the NFL with 13 touchdown catches. Hopkins has caught 96 passes for 1,378 yards and is a strong candidate for first-team All-Pro honors.
Coach Bill O’Brien emphasized that a decision on Hopkins’ status will be made closer to Sunday. With Hopkins sidelined, the Texans would start Braxton Miller opposite Will Fuller.
“Look, if you don’t have Hop, obviously you’re missing some production there, but other guys have to step up,” O’Brien said. “Again, I would say that will be a decision made more toward game time.”
A converted quarterback and former third-round draft pick from Ohio State, Miller has made some progress in his second NFL season. He has caught 17 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown.
“He’s gotten a lot better in knowledge of our offense, route running,” O’Brien said. “He’s gotten a lot better at what we’ve asked him to do on special teams, whether it’s punt returner or some of the other things we’ve asked him to do.
“He’s really just taken it to heart this year and I think he’s improved.”
Foot injury may sideline Jackson
The Texans’ injury issues extend beyond Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in danger of missing his first career game Sunday due to a calf injury.
Veteran cornerback Kareem Jackson didn’t practice Thursday due to a foot injury.
Offensive tackle Jeff Allen remains out with a concussion with rookie Julién Davenport on tap to start in his place against the Indianapolis Colts.
Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee, toe) and cornerback Kevin Johnson (knee) were limited in practice but are expected to play Sunday.
Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke participated fully as he continues to make progress under the NFL concussion protocol. If Heinicke isn’t medically cleared, the Texans have Josh Johnson on the roster to back up T.J. Yates.
Colts coach praises OL Quessenberry
As cancer survivors, Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry and Colts coach Chuck Pagano share a strong bond.
They have endured and conquered a disease that has claimed so many lives before them.
Pagano is proud of how Quessenberry has battled to get back on the field. Quessenberry made his NFL regular-season debut Monday as an extra blocker against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pagano previously got in touch with Quessenberry through his agent, Bruce Tollner, whose agency represents the Texans’ lineman from San Jose State.
“Oh, what a blessing and what a warrior DQ is,” Pagano said. “To battle what he’s battled, I think it’s a great lesson for all of us that got to witness what he’s been through … and the people that he’s inspired. To see a young man like David trot back out there and all that he’s been through and all that he’s overcome and the adversity that he’s faced, I was thrilled to death.”
O’Brien lauds LB as Pro Bowl caliber
Although Pro Bowl recognition has eluded Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney, he’s regarded as all-star caliber throughout the NFL.
Big, strong, fast and versatile at 6-4 and 260 pounds, McKinney leads the Texans with 89 tackles and also has three sacks, 10 tackles for losses, eight quarterback hits and one forced fumble.
Adept at stopping the run and blitzing, McKinney made strides in pass coverage this season. He led the Texans last season with 129 tackles, and he was the lone player in the NFL to have at least 100 tackles and five sacks.
“People think very highly of Benardrick,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “We think very highly of him. He’s become one of the leaders of our team, leaders of our defense. He’s more than just a run-defending linebacker. He’s gotten better in coverage. Very tough guy, plays injured.
“He’s Pro Bowl, whatever. I think you guys know kind of what I think about how the Pro Bowl goes, but he’s one of the top linebackers in this league.”
Clowney fined for facemask penalty
Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney has been fined $9,115 by the league office for a facemask penalty assessed in Monday’s game.
Clowney was flagged for grabbing Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s facemask, a penalty that negated what would have been his 10th sack of the season.
Clowney plans to appeal.