Pro Bowl selection process, exclusion miff Jackson
Standing inside the Texans’ locker room Wednesday morning, cornerback Kareem Jackson was still feeling the sting of being snubbed for the Pro Bowl.
Jackson blasted the balloting process, which is split between voting by fans, players and coaches. Jackson was named as an alternate who could be added to the roster if a player withdraws due to injury or being in the playoffs.
“The Pro Bowl voting, the process, all of that, it’s a joke, a complete joke,” Jackson said. “It’s been that way for years. I was disappointed. Obviously, I felt like I had a good enough year to get in.
“Whoever is making these decisions, it’s a joke, man. I’m going to move on. I just wanted to voice my opinion. I stand behind that.”
Jackson has recorded a careerhigh 82 tackles to go with one sack, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a team-high 14 passes defended.
“You’ve got guys who put up great years and great numbers and it goes overlooked,” Jackson said. “You’ve got some guys, I’m not really sure how they’re getting in and they get in.
“For my teammates that made it, I’m happy for those guys. If you got the call and you were surprised to get that call yourself, it’s a joke. I was upset. At the end of the day, I got over it.”
Jackson characterized the process as flawed, saying he would leave it in the hands of those who play or coach football.
“If it was up to me, I think it should be up to the players and the coaches,” he said. “You sit down and look at guys’ numbers.
“Sit down and look at the guys who are playing the best at each position and make the right selections, period.”
Honor a surprise to McKinney
When the Texans signed inside linebacker Benardrick
McKinney to a $51 million contract this year, he wanted to justify the investment and the faith that coach Bill O’Brien and general manager Brian Gaine had placed in him.
McKinney has lived up to the deal, leading the Texans with 96 tackles and operating as their defensive signal-caller. He was named to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday.
“It’s a great honor, OB, Brian Gaine, all those guys trusted me to pay me that type of money,” McKinney said. “I’m trying to show them that it was a good reason they did it for. I’m just trying to be a good teammate, a great inside linebacker and trying to prove it every day.”
McKinney was caught off guard when he was named to the Pro Bowl despite having a strong season for the AFC South leaders. He learned that he made the annual all-star game by watching television.
“I really wasn’t even thinking about it, to be honest,” McKinney said. “I ended up getting a lot of texts and seeing it on social media and … on TV. I was happy, I was proud. It’s a great feeling.
“It’s a great honor. I want to thank the fans. I want to thank the coaches, thank everybody for voting for me.”
Fairbairn earns AFC weekly award
A year ago, Ka’imi Fairbairn was determined to improve following his first season as the Texans’ kicker.
So Fairbairn worked intensely on relaxation and focus.
“Mentally, being able to take every kick for what it is,” Fairbairn said. “That’s what is separating me from my success this year, not looking ahead not, looking behind, being in each moment.”
That approach has paid dividends for Fairbairn and the Texans.
He leads the NFL with 34 field goals and 136 points and has made his last dozen field goals. Fairbairn was named for the first time the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his five-field goal performance in Saturday’s game against the Jets. During a 29-22 victory, Fairbairn made all five attempts along with two extra points for 17 points.
“Obviously, it’s very special,” Fairbairn said. “It’s not every day you get to do that. I give a lot of credit to my teammates.”
Fairbairn had a strong season, but he was beaten out for Pro Bowl honors by Jets kicker Jason
Myers. Fairbairn wasn’t named as an alternate.
“Yeah, we have bigger goals than that to me,” Fairbairn said. “To me, it’s all about team success over individual success. Jason Myers, great year, great guy, tell him congrats. We’re off to bigger and better things, I think.”
Ankle injuries limit Hopkins, Miller
Pro Bowl wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins and running back Lamar Miller were limited in practice Wednesday with ankle injuries.
Hopkins remained in Saturday’s game despite getting hurt and caught the game-winning touchdown pass against the Jets. He’s expected to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Miller is regarded as a question mark due to a sprained ankle. He rode a stationary bike during the portion open to reporters and is considered day-today. If Miller can’t go Sunday, Alfred Blue would start in his place.
The Texans are expected to have running back D’Onta Foreman active for the first time since he was activated from the reserve physically unable to perform list.