Tune in early to catch starters
Mainstays likely in for short night against Cowboys
ARLINGTON — Don’t expect the Texans’ starters to spend a lot of time and energy trying to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the third preseason game at AT&T Stadium. That would be hard to do with so many of them on the sideline.
It will be interesting to see how the coaches, Bill O’Brien and Jason Garrett, treat Saturday night’s exhibition. Will they sit most of their starters to avoid injury as so many teams are doing, or will they believe it’s necessary to get them significant playing time?
In last week’s victory over Detroit, O’Brien kept out nine starters and pulled most of the other starters after brief appearances. He may take the approach against the Cowboys.
Fans want to see more of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who played one series against the Lions and engineered a touchdown drive before heading to the sideline for good. Watson may play more than one series against the Cowboys, but he won’t get extensive action. That wouldn’t make sense under the current preseason climate.
Don’t look for any other starters to play a lot, either.
“I think it’ll be similar to how we used them in the Detroit game — not much,” O’Brien said. “Some of
that is a play count, so it depends on is it a three-and-out? Is it a long drive? It’s not an exact science. It’s just kind of a general idea of how much we want them to play.
“We do (game plan) a little more, but I don’t know if there’ll be a huge difference in how much guys play.”
O’Brien and his assistants already are game-planning for the regular-season opener at New Orleans. They have two preseason games left, against the Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, to help them determine who makes the 53-man roster.
The coaches need to continue evaluating the roster, but they also need to see more of some players who start or have a chance to start.
Ideally, the first time the Texans get the ball, Watson will lead them to a touchdown as he did against Detroit. That might be enough for O’Brien. If they have to punt, Watson might get a second series.
O’Brien, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith have to walk a fine line in preparing and protecting Watson.
Carolina found out the hard way what can happen when a starting quarterback plays in a preseason game. Cam Newton suffered an ankle injury, and his status for the Panthers’ first game is in jeopardy.
Watson said this week he’d like to play the entire game knowing that he won’t, of course. But nobody can blame O’Brien if Watson is one and done again. He’s had an excellent offseason and preseason. He looks ready to take on the Saints.
“I love to play football,” Watson said. “Whatever opportunity comes, I’m going to be ready for it, but that’s all on coach OB and what he wants to see.
“I have no idea how much I’ll play, but whenever my opportunity comes, I’ll make sure I do the best I can.”
That’s not an issue. The coaches know they’ll get the best Watson can give. The issue is making decisions on players at running back, receiver, tight end and offensive tackle.
Watson, who threw a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins against Detroit, knows his starting receivers, running back and tight ends, but he’s got new starters in his offensive line and needs time to work with them.
The starters played well against the Lions. Left tackle Roderick Johnson, subbing for the injured Matt Kalil, was effective. The coaches need to see more of him. They also need to see more of rookie right guard Max Scharping. Left guard Tytus
Howard is out with a fractured finger.
“Every chance you get to play is very important,” Watson said about developing chemistry with new players. “It’s more reps. More reps (means) more experience. More experience is more confidence and more opportunities to improve and get ready for the real action.”
That would be against the Saints in the Superdome on Monday night.
The Texans plan to avoid another start like last season when they began 0-3 before winning nine consecutive games. No matter who’s on the field with him or how long they play, Watson wants to get the most out of it.
“It’s just another opportunity to get some live action, another opportunity to see where we stand as an offense (and) as a team, too,” he said. “Just trying to make sure I’m staying prepared, staying in tune and making sure everyone’s on the same page (and) building chemistry.”