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DeAndre Carter is challenged every day at training camp practice.
In offensive drills, the Houston Texans receiver is endeavoring to form cohesion with all three quarterbacks and demonstrate he is a reliable, trustworthy target. In special teams drills, chiefly return drills, Carter has to prove himself as a dependable option that will secure the ball, if not pick up chunks of yards.
The former Sacramento State product may be crossing over into the realm of having a secure roster spot and not having to worry about competition.
“DeAndre is a very solid player,” coach and general manager Bill O’Brien said. “He just works. He’s very consistent. He just does a lot of things pretty well. He can obviously return kicks. He’s very smart. He’s just a very solid guy, and so quarterbacks have confidence in him.
“They know that he’s going to be where he’s supposed to be. They know that he’s going to know his assignment. Just a really consistent guy.”
One of Carter’s biggest challengers at both receiver is returner is former 2018 fourth-round pick Keke Coutee. Carter got his shots to supplant Coutee at receiver in 2018 when the former Texas Tech product battled hamstring injuries. In 2019, the battle continued as Coutee dealt with inconsistent play and ankle injuries.
Though Coutee has done a tremendous job of taking steps in his development despite the setbacks, a foot stress fracture kept Coutee out of practice for a few days. As a result, it has given Carter more opportunity to stake his claim on the roster.
Said O’Brien: “He’s had a good camp, and he’s out there every day. I think that’s the deal. This league is so much about health and some of that is not being lucky. Some guys just avoid it and take care of their bodies, and other guys take care of their bodies but just can’t avoid it. I think because DeAndre is out there every single day, he just gets better and better. That’s why you see him.”
Carter is less than two weeks away from beating out the competition for a spot on the roster. When he gets there, it may be a while before he loses his place.
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