The Houston Texans may be playing to beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 17, but they are ensuring it doesn’t cost them a chance at a deep playoff run.
According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Texans are planning to have quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has led the club to a 10-5 record, backup quarterback A.J. McCarron in the relatively meaningless season finale. A win over the Titans would not help the Texans get out of wild-card weekend, and it may be a fruitless endeavor to avoid the No. 5 Buffalo Bills as the Kansas City Chiefs will more than likely beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the early game at Arrowhead Stadium, just before the Texans’ 3:25 p.m. CT kickoff with Tennessee.
As we get ready for Titans and Texans, I’m told QB Deshaun Watson is expected to be the back up QB behind A.J. McCarron. WR DeAndre Hopkins will be active but isn’t expected to play much. Texans well aware the postseason doesn’t actually start until next weekend.
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) December 29, 2019
Receiver DeAndre Hopkins is also expected to get limited snaps against the Titans.
Both Hopkins and Watson were on the injury report leading up to the game. Watson was limited throughout practice with a back issue, landing him as questionable on the injury report. Hopkins has been battling an illness and was also listed as questionable.