The 4-7 Houston Texans took a blow on Nov. 30 when receiver Will Fuller announced he would miss the remainder of the 2020 season with a six-game suspension.
Fuller, who violated the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy, has his season end as the team’s leading receiver with 53 catches for 879 yards and eight touchdowns through 11 games. It was his most productive season since Houston drafted him in the first round in 2016.
Though the Texans are losing their No. 1 wideout, left tackle Laremy Tunsil believes the team has to move on.
“We can’t dwell on that for sure,” Tunsil said. “We can’t. Of course, Will is a great player and we need Will just to finish out the season and see where we go. But we can’t dwell on that. We’ve got to keep the next man up mentality and just keep looking forward and just keep moving forward.”
With Fuller out of the lineup, quarterback Brandin Cooks could become the new most-targeted receiver. A dark horse candidate would be Keke Coutee, who caught a 6-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in Week 11 despite not having played an offensive snap since Week 2.
“Next man up, man,” said Tunsil. “We really live by that and we’ve got to execute it, so the next guy up has to get in the playbook and get it done.”
What the Texans have regardless of who is lined out wide is Deshaun Watson under center. The two-time Pro Bowler has not thrown an interception since Week 5, and his 28 sacks are the fewest of his career through the first 11 games.
“He’s magical,” Tunsil said. “He’s a magician for sure. He gets things done and he does it at an unbelievable rate for sure.”
Watson and the Texans will work their magic Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium against the 7-4 Indianapolis Colts.
