Not-so-special teams
CLEVELAND — Two special teams gaffes by the Texans cost the team 10 points in Sunday’s 31-21 loss.
Return specialist Andre Roberts muffed a punt that produced a touchdown, and Joey Slye missed a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Texans’ defense forced the Browns to punt on their first drive. But Roberts, a 12-year veteran, muffed a low-driving punt that bounced off his chest and was recovered by Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki at the Houston 35. Four plays later, Browns fullback Andy Janovich scored on a 1-yard touchdown run that set Cleveland ahead 7-0.
General manager Nick Caserio signed Roberts to a two-year deal in March in an effort to bolster the Texans’ return game with a former All-Pro and threetime Pro Bowler. Roberts, who missed all three preseason games with a knee injury, has returned four punts for 17 yards and five kicks for 101 yards.
“Andre has been very dependable through his whole career,” coach David Culley said. “That’s so unlike him for that to happen to him. It happens. We just got to be better there, and I expect him to be better there.”
The Texans were trailing the Browns 31-21 with 2:03 left in the game when Slye’s 41-yard field goal attempt missed wide left.
“Those things happen,” Culley said. “They happen.”
Slye, a strong-legged kicker who consistently boots touchbacks, also appeared to intentionally pooch the opening kick and force the Browns to return. The plan backfired. Browns returner Demetric Felton returned the kick 25 yards to the Browns’ 32.
The Texans signed Slye on Sept. 7 to replace the injured Ka’imi Fairbairn, who was placed on the injured reserve after pulling a muscle during warmups before the preseason finale against the Buccaneers.
Slye made all three field goal attempts in a 37-21 win over the Jaguars in the season opener.
Curious punt call prompts questions
David Culley explained his decision to punt when the offense had the opportunity for another third-down try when the game was tied at 7 in the second quarter.
On third-and-15 at the Houston 38, Tyrod Taylor’s 13-yard pass to Brandin Cooks reached the Cleveland 49, creating fourthand-2. But Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley was penalized for being offsides, giving the Texans the opportunity to try again with a third-and-10 play.
Instead, Culley declined the penalty. The Texans didn’t go for it either. Culley said they attempted to pin the Browns deep within their territory with Cam Johnston, a punter who pinned opponents within their 20 eight times during the preseason and three times in the regular season opener against the Jaguars.
Johnston is a former Australian Rules footballer with a knack for short punts. But the plan backfired. Johnston’s punt sailed into the end zone for a touchback.
“We felt like that at that point we’d have the chance to get better field position,” Culley said. “But we didn’t make it. We didn’t get it.”
Could the Texans have tried a third-down play and still had a favorable opportunity to punt?
“We could’ve done that,” Culley said, “and looking at it again, I’ll just have to look at the situation and see what I can do the next time.”
Reid forced to leave twice with injury
Texans starting safety Justin Reid exited the field twice with a knee injury, and, after the second time, David Culley said Reid was held out for “precautionary” reasons and added “he’s OK.”
Reid was one of six injured Texans, a list that included quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was ruled out at halftime with a hamstring injury. The Texans also lost two wide receivers at halftime: rookie Nico Collins, who started, exited with a shoulder injury, and Danny Amendola sustained a hamstring injury.
Tight end Antony Auclair left the game in the third quarter with an eye injury, and starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell left the field in the fourth and was evaluated for a concussion.
Cunningham benched in the first quarter
Starting linebacker Zach Cunningham did not play in the first quarter for “disciplinary reasons,” David Culley said.
Kamu Grugier-Hill started in place of Cunningham, and he ended up leading the Texans defense with nine tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Cunningham entered the game in the second quarter and finished with six tackles.