One of the greatest what-ifs surrounding the Houston Texans over the past five seasons has to be “what if Will Fuller played an entire season?”
The former 2016 first-round pick from Notre Dame has never played an entire 16-game season with the Texans. In fact, Fuller’s 22 games missed in that span equates to a full season plus six games.
Heading into his fifth year and on an expiring deal, this could be Fuller’s last chance to meet his potential. Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien likes the prospects for Fuller.
“He showed up and he’s in great shape,” O’Brien told reporters on July 31. “He looks good. He’s been working out and working hard. He’s excited about the season and he’s excited about our offense. We’re excited about having him for 16 games. He looks as good as he’s ever looked and that makes us happy. It makes us feel like we’re going to get off on the right foot here.”
Fuller has played 22 games with quarterback Deshaun Watson since 2017. Hamstring injuries compromised Fuller’s availability throughout 2019, and a torn ACL in 2018 ended his season after just the first seven games.
The Texans have a new-look receiving corps with DeAndre Hopkins out and Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb in. Fuller is the only receiver on the roster who has remained since the start of the Watson era. It would be a boon for the offense Fuller were able to stay on the field and be the catalyst for the offense’s deep passing attack.
