The Houston Texans were without their top two receivers against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9 and managed to play a competitive game despite facing overwhelming adversity. Competing without star pass catcher Brandin Cooks was one of the most impactful factors working against their favor in the matchup, and both quarterback Davis Mills and head coach Lovie Smith addressed how the offense operated in his absence.
Asked how the void left by Cooks affected the game for him under center, Mills told reporters that things felt relatively normal throughout the matchup, crediting Phillip Dorsett with stepping to fill the star receiver’s role.
“I don’t know if it changes too much,” Mills said of the experience playing without Cooks. “I know a lot of defenses, when they see 13 out there, circle him and try to find ways to double him. Maybe that might have worked a little bit to our advantage. But not having (Brandin Cooks) out there, he is a threat on every play.
“He is going to make a play, but I think the guys who were able to fill his role – the main guy right now, Phillip Dorsett, was able to step into that position and make some plays. And some of those plays, we had scripted for Brandin this past week. When we realized he wasn’t going to be in, Phillip was able to take over those roles and go out there and make some plays.”
Houston will need to get their top talent back on the field if they intend to play seriously competitive football in the weeks to come, but their showing against Philadelphia was heartening given what they were able to accomplish managing without their best weapons. Watch for Smith to stick to the running game in Week 10 against the New York Giants in search of the Texans’ second win of the season.