The Houston Texans brought safety Tashaun Gipson in during free agency to fill a need: start alongside Justin Reid and shut-down the game’s best tight ends.
Through five games, Gipson has done his job. The Texans are t-4th in the NFL in tight ends yards allowed (151), t-11th in receptions (19) and first in touchdowns (0). However, he hasn’t faced a task quite like Week 6’s; defending Kansas City Chiefs’ two-time All-Pro Travis Kelce.
For the year, Kelce has 28 receptions for 439 yards and a touchdown. He is coming off the heels of a 103 reception, 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns season. He can beat players with his hands, agility, creativity, size or speed.
Coach Bill O’Brien is all too aware of Kelce’s talents, calling Gipson’s matchup “very critical.”
“This is a whole other ballgame here,” said O’Brien on Monday. “You’re talking about one of the best tight ends, really, in the league in the last probably 10-15 years in Travis Kelce. Great player. He’s given us fits over the years. Andy (Reid) does a great job of how they use him. It’s another big challenge for us.”
The Texans’ gameplan to beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead on Sunday likely starts with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. However, Kelce isn’t too far off. Gipson struggling could mean a Houston loss; him thriving, the inverse.
