Scarlett earns high marks for clutch tackle
It was one of the most crucial tackles of the Texans’ season.
On fourth-and-7 at the Texans’ 47-yard line in the final minutes Thursday night, outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett managed to escape a block from Colts guard Quenton Nelson.
Scarlett reversed directions and sprinted over to tackle scrambling quarterback Jacoby Brissett just shy of the firstdown marker.
Because of Scarlett’s clutch stop to preserve the game, the Texans got the football back and managed to pull out a 20-17 victory that propelled them into first place in the AFC South.
“They were marching down the field, just understand that’s a huge play,” Scarlett said. “Jacoby Brissett has the skill set to pass and also to run. I was cognizant of that and luckily got to him before he got to the first down.”
Heading off the field, Scarlett was congratulated by teammates as well as team president Jamey Rootes and executive vice president of team development Jack Easterby.
“Individually, but collectively, it was a great job by our defensive backs being in the right coverage position where (Brissett) couldn’t make the easy throw and he had to start scrambling,” said Scarlett, who has a career-high 3½ sacks this season and had six tackles, one for a loss, against Indianapolis. “I think we’ve just got to continue to do that and make sure we’re playing together.”
Banged-up secondary gets reinforcements
The Texans’ secondary is getting healthier.
Two starters returned to practice Monday in advance of Sunday night’s game against New England at NRG Stadium: safety Justin Reid (concussion) and cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (ankle).
Reid and Johnson were out against Indianapolis on Thursday after getting hurt against Baltimore on Nov. 17.
Safety Mike Adams (concussion) also returned to practice, and cornerback Bradley Roby is practicing again. He has missed the past five games with a Grade 2 strained hamstring and is angling toward returning this week.
Cole’s loss will be felt at LB, special teams
Now that linebacker Dylan Cole is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the Texans will have to figure out a way to replace his production on defense and special teams with players who aren’t as athletic as him. That could involve a combination of players, including linebackers Peter Kalambayi and Tyrell Adams.
“Forget about the team for a second, just the personal part of that, it means so much to those guys to play,” Texans coach Bill
O’Brien said. “Dylan was a captain, special teams captain, was a leader in the locker room. Was really, really good at his role, like one of the better players in the league at his role. So, now the next guy has to step up, whoever that guy may be.
“There’ll be a couple of guys that may have to step into those roles that he played. But it’s more personal when that happens, for me, because I have a lot of respect for Dylan and I know how hard he works and how well he plays. So, it’s just a tough thing.”
Watkins optimistic he’ll play next game
Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins is relieved that his hamstring injury wasn’t more serious.
Watkins left early during Thursday night’s win over the Colts. He has 13 tackles and one sack this season.
“I’m doing good,” Watkins said. “It was definitely a lot worse during the game. I just freaked myself out a little more than what it actually was. Hopefully, I’ll be out there (Sunday against the Patriots).”
Owens rejoins team via practice squad
The Texans re-signed safety Jonathan Owens to the practice squad.
Owens was cut from the Texans’ 53-man roster after the Colts game, cleared waivers Monday and signed his practice squad contract.
Owens spent 2018 on the Arizona Cardinals’ injured reserve list with a knee injury.