Cornerback Bradley Roby was a force for the Houston Texans defense in their 28-22 win over the New England Patriots Sunday night at NRG Stadium.
The former 2014 Denver Broncos first-round pick collected four tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, an interception, and a pass deflection. That Roby was able to accomplish that feat the day after burying his grandfather, for whom he dedicated his performance, underscores the dynamic play Roby brings to the Texans’ secondary.
However, coach Bill O’Brien knows the one factor that keeps Roby from being a consistent threat to opposing offenses.
“The big thing with Bradley has been health,” O’Brien told reporters Wednesday. “Just making sure that he can be available to the team, that’s the big thing. If he stays available to the team, he’s healthy, then he can help us.”
Roby has missed five games due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 6 at the Kansas City Chiefs in a 31-24 win.
On the season, Roby has collected 28 tackles, 1.0 sack, two tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception in his seven games, all of which he has started. Houston has posted a 5-2 record in the games where Roby has played with wins coming against teams with offensive firepower such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Chiefs.
“I think that Bradley, he’s got a lot of talent, right,” O’Brien said. “He’s got good speed, good feet, good ball skills.”
The Texans will need Roby, who has still been limited in practice with his hamstring injury, to be available against his old team as Houston takes on the Broncos Sunday at noon CT. Second-year receiver Courtland Sutton could be a matchup problem for the Texans’ secondary, and having a key piece such as Roby in the lineup could make all the difference.
