While the focus has been on the Houston Texans’ new trio of receivers of DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Kenny Stills, there is still a forgotten member who hopes to make his presence in the offense felt again.
Second-year receiver Keke Coutee was off to a great start in the offseason and training camp until an ankle injury in the first preseason game on Aug. 8 knocked him out of the balance of preseason play. Then, on Aug. 31, the club traded with Miami for Stills. As such, Coutee saw his playing time decrease.
With Stills limited in practice due to a hamstring and ankle injury sustained in the Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Coutee has a chance to rise to the fore once more, and quarterback Deshaun Watson has confidence in the ex-Texas Tech wideout.
“The four weeks that he took off in the preseason were very tough, nothing that we wanted,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “But it kind of set him back a little bit as far as getting back into his groove. He’s getting back to himself. He’s feeling fully healthy and fully back into what he likes to do.”
Where the Texans like to utilize Coutee the most is as a slot receiver. The former 2018 fifth-round pick has the knack for it and can be a dangerous weapon. His problem has been availability, which was a recurring issue through the first four games.
“We put him in areas and situations that he’s good at, to be able to execute and help this offense go,” said Watson. “It’s good to have him back and have him feeling confident and getting back to what he’s always been doing.”
The Texans host the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at NRG Stadium and hope to improve their record to 3-2 as they continue to jockey for position in a competitively balanced AFC South.
