Wideout Keke Coutee had a rough go in his rookie season with chronic hamstring injuries, but the Houston Texans slot receiver appears to be more confident.
According to quarterback Deshaun Watson, the 2018 fourth-round pick from Texas Tech is not allowing his hamstring injuries, which limited him to six games, to keep him tentative.
“You can tell that he has a lot more confidence in himself and what he’s doing whenever he steps on the field,” Watson told the media Tuesday during the first week of organized team activities at NRG Stadium. “He’s playing a lot faster and he’s out there helping all the young receivers get lined up and telling them what to do. You can tell that anytime he’s on the field, you just try to get him the ball in space and let him go work.”
Coutee went to work with 28 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown during his limited action in 2018. The former Lufkin Panther also caught 11 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s wild-card playoff loss at home to the Indianapolis Colts. Coutee was essentially the Texans’ lone receiving threat as All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins battled a shoulder injury.
It wasn’t the first time Coutee had a big game against the Colts. In fact, in his first career game in Week 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Coutee produced 11 catches for 109 yards that helped Houston to a 37-34 overtime win, part of the clack of tiny sparks that flamed into a nine-game winning streak.
Coutee has proven dynamic for the Texans’ offense, and it is that impactful element Watson wants to incorporate in 2019.
Said Watson: “You never know what he’s going to do with the ball in his hands. He can do all types of stuff. He’s a guy that the defense has to worry about.”
Part of why Coutee was so significant was he was perceived as the lesser poison when opposing defensive coordinators had to find ways to stop Hopkins and speedy No. 2 Will Fuller. When Coutee had his chances, he made defenses pay.
“A lot of people are very impressed with him and so am I,” said Watson.
For Coutee, the challenge is to ensure that his worst ability from 2018, his availability, is one of his stronger traits in his sophomore campaign.
