Quarterback Watson works overtime to ‘get it right’

When the Texans lost to Carolina on Sunday, quarterback Deshaun Watson was determined to begin immediately working to correct his mistakes.

Namely, how he misfired on a pair of deep throws to wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller.

So, Watson stayed at NRG Stadium for a throwing session four hours after the game ended with private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery. Watson threw a series of passes, honing his accuracy and mechanics.

“He cares,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He cares deeply about trying to help us win. He cares deeply about winning. That’s who he is. We’ve got a lot of guys like that.”

Watson was sacked six times and hit 10 times overall, losing a fumble on a hit by Vernon Butler in the fourth quarter. He completed 21 off 33 passes for 160 yards and had a 75.3 passer rating.

Watson’s overtime work didn’t surprise his teammates.

“That’s the type of guy you want leading your team,” cornerback Johnathan Joseph aid. “It’s never on his shoulders, but he’s the quarterback and the leader of our team.

“So, he’s always going to take the loss that way or the criticism. He leads by example.”

Watson makes it a habit to arrive early and stay late at the Texans’ training facility.

“That’s not unexpected,” wide receiver Keke Coutee said. “That’s a great quarterback. He wants to get it right.”

Team is signing 38-year-old safety

The Texans are signing veteran safety Mike Adams, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.

Adams, 38, has 30 career interceptions. He has played for Carolina, Indianapolis, Denver, Cleveland and San Francisco since going undrafted out of Delaware in 2004.

Adams started every game for the Panthers the past two seasons and totaled five interceptions and 16 passes defended with 144 tackles.

Adams has played in 222 career games, trying him for 142nd all-time and sixth as a safety. With two more games played, he’ll be tied with John Lynch and Brian Dawkins for fourth all-time among safeties.

Adams worked out for the Texans on Friday along with defensive backs Marcus Gilchrist, Jonathan Owens and Jordan Richards and offensive lineman Ulrick John.

The Texans signed Owens, a former Arizona Cardinals safety from Missouri Western, to the practice squad and cut safety Austin Exford from the practice squad.

Tight back kept Fulton off field

Starting right offensive guard Zach Fulton had a tight back when he arrived for the game Sunday and was unable to play.

Coach Bill O’Brien said Fulton likely could have played, if necessary, but the decision was made to go with Greg Mancz. Mancz struggled, as did the entire offensive line.

“His back locked up on him,” O’Brien said of Fulton. “We loosened him up. We felt like if we needed him, he probably would have been able to play, but we went with Greg Mancz. I think everybody has got to do better collectively.”

Rookie Omenihu expected to play

Rookie defensive lineman Charles Omenihu was out Sunday with a knee injury, but the fifth-round draft pick from Texas expects to return this week.

Meanwhile, rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard missed one play where it initially looked serious. Howard just smacked his funny bone.

Former Ram Hitner to work out Tuesday

The Texans are set to work out former Rams offensive lineman Brandon Hitner on Tuesday, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.

Hitner worked out for the Packers on Monday. He was limited to seven games last season because of a knee injury.