Coutee is trying to make up for lost time
Running crisp routes and catching passes in stride, Texans rookie wide receiver Keke Coutee was in a hurry Wednesday afternoon.
Participating in his first practice since getting hurt during the first week of training camp, Coutee was trying to make up for three weeks spent on the sidelines with a strained hamstring.
“We’ll see what he does,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Coutee. “He’s been in the training room for about four weeks. He’s got a long way to go.”
A fourth-round draft pick from Texas Tech, Coutee was expected to challenge Braxton
Miller for the slot receiver job before his injury.
“I don’t know yet,” O’Brien said when asked what he expects from Coutee. “He hasn’t really been out there. We’ll find out.”
A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Coutee caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Before the injury, Coutee was making a good impression on his teammate and coaches.
“Keke, he’s real explosive,” wide receiver Will Fuller said. “I haven’t seen him drop a pass since he’s been here. He’s got some sure hands. He brings another dimension to our offense with his explosiveness.”
Fuller hopes to see durability improve
Bigger and stronger in his upper body, Will Fuller is hoping his offseason improvement will translate into better durability and production this season.
Fuller runs the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds but has become a more complete player now at 185 pounds while maintaining his speed.
The wide receiver was limited to 28 receptions for 423 yards and seven scores last season, missing 10 games due to a broken collarbone and knee injury.
Fuller underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January and has made a full recovery. He’ll start opposite wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this season. Now, Fuller is gearing up for his first preseason game Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams after being held out of the first two games for precautionary reasons.
“He’s had a good preseason,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Really good route runner. I think he’s added weight, which has helped him. He’s stronger.
“It’s helped his hands. His hands are stronger. I feel like he’s got a great grasp of what we’re doing, and maybe we’ll see him a little bit more on Saturday.”
Coates returns after concussion
Texans wide receiver Sammie
Coates is making a speedy recovery from a concussion.
Coates left Saturday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers and was placed in the mandatory NFL concussion protocol.
Coates returned to practice Wednesday. Under NFL guidelines governing concussions, Coates has to pass a baseline neurological exam and practice for one day and remain free of symptoms to be cleared from the protocol.
Cornerback Kevin Johnson hasn’t returned to practice since suffering a concussion against the 49ers. Johnson also is feeling better since his head injury, according to coach Bill O’Brien.
Rookie safety Reid settling into role
Justin Reid relaxed in his second preseason game. He wasn’t overly aggressive. And he played within the Texans’ defensive scheme against the 49ers.
The results were encouraging for the rookie safety, who led the Texans with six tackles. He delivered a big hit on a route over the middle.
The Texans’ top draft pick, a third-round selection, needs to keep that going.
“I think he’s just antsy,” veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “He’s excited to hit somebody. He’s excited to prove to us all that he can play at this level. Last game, I thought he played much better.
“He was way more calm. He wasn’t in a rush, and he made a big play for us on third down. If we keep getting those things out of him, I think he’ll continue to get better.”
Big expectations for Cunningham
No longer a raw rookie, inside linebacker Zach Cunningham is being counted on heavily heading into his second NFL season.
The 6-3, 240-pound former second-round draft pick and All-Southeastern Conference selection finished second on the Texans’ defense in tackles last season behind fellow inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
Cunningham recorded 90 tackles, 1½ sacks, five tackles for losses, two quarterback hits, six passes defended and one forced fumble.
“Obviously, we’re looking for a big year out of Zach,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “He’s a very fast player. He’s smart, he can fly around, he can make plays.
“So we want to see him continue to do that and continue to take steps and confidence and leadership as well, obviously, at the linebacker position.”