HOUSTON — The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars will look drastically different when compared to their last meeting in 2020. Tyrod Taylor and rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence will highlight the most significant changes between the two franchises, but one cannot ignore wideout Chris Conley.
Conley will make his Texans debut at NRG Stadium after spending the previous two seasons with the Jaguars. Sunday will mark the second time in his career Conley will face his former team during Week 1 of the NFL season. His first took place during opening week of the 2019 season, where the Jaguars lost 40-26 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I’m always excited to play in the first game of the year, but especially playing against a team that you were on and seeing guys you were with for two years,” Conley said following practice on Monday. “The preparation, I don’t think that that’s changed. It’s always been a focus on getting better each day and stacking hay so that you can cash in on Sunday. But when you play against guys that you know, it always brings a little something extra.”
Conley signed with the Jaguars after beginning his career as a third-round pick for the Chiefs in 2015. He appeared in 31 games for Jacksonville and caught 87 passes for 1,246 yards and seven touchdowns.
He says playing against his former team creates a unique headspace and would not mind shedding light on the Jags’ game plan if given the opportunity.
Since the start of training camp, first-year coach David Culley has described Conley as a big receiver who fits the mold of the kind of player the Texans want in their organization.
“I think every team every year is a new team, regardless of the coaching staff and player changes,” Conley said. “You see how the team is different here this year, and we’ve had the coaching staff and personnel changes. The Jags definitely will be a different team. They have some core players that they return, but every year our team has a new identity.”
In four career games against the Texans as a member of the Jaguars, Conley recorded 215 reception yards on 15 catches. The Texans won all four games.
