Tight end Akins has an impressive debut
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sprinting away from defensive backs giving chase in vain, rookie tight end Jordan Akins remained a step ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night in the Texans’ 17-10 win.
It was a sterling debut at Arrowhe ad Stadium for the third-round draft pick from Central Florida.
Both of Akins’ first NFL receptions — for 6 and 14 yards —went for touchdowns as backup quarterback Brandon
Weeden made it a point to target the 26-year-old former minor league baseball player in the red zone.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Akins said. “I always dreamed of it and visualized it. I’m at a loss for words right now. I was focused on executing my assignment. When my number is called, I made a play. Just keep it going. You may not score every game, but I definitely look forward to making some plays for this team.”
At a position in flux since the retirement of tight end C.J.
Fiedorowicz due to chronic concussions, Akins’ performance provides a boost.
The athletic, 6-4, 250-pound former Texas Rangers prospect first impressed Texans coaches when they coached him at the Senior Bowl all-star game.
Akins has been as advertised since joining the Texans after catching 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns for an undefeated team last season
“Definitely, get the motor running a little bit,” Akins said. “Get the first game under your belt and knock the nerves out and now I can just focus and play ball.”
Ellington admits he has matured
The evolution of wide receiver Bruce Ellington has taken a quantum leap over the past year.
Ellington has progressed from a discarded San Francisco 49ers fourth-round draft pick into a key backup for the Texans.
Signed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract this offseason that included a $200,000 signing bonus, Ellington caught 29 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns last season.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot,” Ellington said Thursday before he had three receptions for 22 yards in the Texans’ 17-10 win over the Chiefs. “I’m starting to really learn the game of football. Coming into the league, you just want to go out and play football. You’ve got to be smarter than most guys. I would say learning the defense, learning what they’re going to throw at you, the rest is just me getting open.”
Ellington is a dangerous runner in the open field after the catch. As a former running back and quarterback. he is capable of running away from pursuit.
“That helps me a lot catching the ball and making moves after the catch,” Ellington said.
When the Texans signed
Ellington last year, he was overjoyed to be reunited with several fellow South Carolina natives. That includes receiver DeAndre Hopkins, quarterback Deshaun Watson and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.
“Definitely, it’s a blessing to come here and be able to play with guys I played with in high school and college,” Ellington said. “When I was with the 49ers, I told Deshaun I wished I could play with him and now I’m here with him.”
Watt, Clowney, Mercilus sit out
When the Texans open the season against the Patriots on Sept. 9, they’ll aggressively go after quarterback Tom Brady with a trio of talented pass rushers.
None of those players was active for the preseason opener, though, Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive end J.J. Watt, coming off a broken leg, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, getting in shape after arthroscopic knee surgery, and outside linebacker Whitney
Mercilus, back in Houston after suffering a minor softtissue injury at training camp, did not play in this game.
Coach Bill O’Brien expects to increase Clowney’s activity level this week. And Mercilus isn’t expected to be out long after getting hurt in West Virginia and missing the past few days of practice.
The Texans rested several other key players Thursday night against the Chiefs, including receivers DeAndre
Hopkins and Will Fuller, safety Tyrann Mathieu, cornerback Johnathan Joseph, nose tackle D.J. Reader and linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
Crennel garners praise for acumen
The last time Romeo Crennel was operating as Texans defensive coordinator, the defense was ranked first in the NFL two seasons ago.
After serving as an assistant head coach and helping Mike
Vrabel in his lone season as defensive coordinator before Vrabel became Titans coach, Crennel is back as Texans defensive coordinator. It’s a familiar role for Crennel. And his return has provided a boost to the defense.
Crennel is revered by his players for his defensive strategy, wisdom and kind personality.
“He’s the best,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “He’s such a knowledgeable guy with tons of experience, but he’s also like a grandfather figure.
“He has so much wisdom that he can impart on you. He has some of those old-timer jokes that’ll make you laugh because they’re old-timer jokes, but he’s just such a nice guy.
“If RAC yells, that means you really screwed up. “