If there is one trait receiver Kenny Stills has made readily identifiable in his three weeks with the Houston Texans, it is his work ethic.
The former 2013 fifth-round pick for the New Orleans Saints cultivated his hardworking approach in his first two seasons with the Saints and then refined it with the Miami Dolphins from 2015-18. Since joining the Texans as part of a big trade on Aug. 31, Stills has demonstrated this trait to quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“Kenny’s a guy that works hard,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “He’s in here early, he’s here late, takes care of his body, played a lot of football, played a lot of football with different quarterbacks, different teams, so he’s seen a lot.”
Of course, Stills has to come in early and stay late to keep acclimating to an offense that he was thrust in the midst for the first week of the regular season. However, he also gives of himself and finds ways to help the receiver room and his third-year quarterback.
“He comes in and helps all the young receivers, helps some of the older receivers, and helps myself,” said Watson. “He’s a great addition, he’s a guy that, like I said, he’s a professional and he’s going to do exactly what we need him to do and he’s going to play his role right and make plays for us.”
Through three games, Still has collected nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. Stills is also part of a collective intelligence in the receiving corps that allows offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to easily create mismatches for opposing defenses.
