Tag: Texans receiver

Texans place WR Jesse Matthews on injured reserve

The Houston Texans have placed undrafted rookie receiver Jesse Matthews on injured reserve.

The Houston Texans have placed another player on injured reserve.

The Texans announced Tuesday the placement of receiver Jesse Matthews on injured reserve. According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, Matthews tore his ACL.

The undrafted rookie from San Diego State was part of a group of developmental receivers that included Jared Wayne, Johnny Johnson, Jalen Camp, and Alex Bachman.

The 6-0, 190-pound wideout from San Diego State caught 45 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in his 13 games with the Aztecs last season, earning an honorable mention for all-Mountain West.

Matthews is the fifth player to land on the Texans’ injured reserve, including FB Troy Hairston, C Scott Quessenberry, OT D.J. Scaife, and OT Greg Little.

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Texans WR John Metchie’s advice on fighting cancer: ‘Just show up and fight’

Houston Texans receiver John Metchie provided advice on what he learned about battling acute promyelocytic leukemia.

A year ago John Metchie couldn’t help the Houston Texans; he was in a battle for his life.

In mid-July 2022, the former Alabama receiver was diagnosed with Houston Texans receiver John Metchie provided advice on what he learned about battling acute promyelocytic leukemia. His rookie season was over before it could begin, and the Texans’ second-round pick had to pivot towards treatments for a cancer of the blood.

Just as athletes watch film of others to take cues and add to their skillset, Metchie took the advice of other patients as he recovered from his illness.

“Yeah, the biggest thing I took away was just show up and fight,” Metchie told reporters Aug. 3 after training camp practice. “We kind of understand and take for granted life and everything we have to do or get to do during a day, but then when it’s taken away from you — whether you’re young or old in the hospital — you kind of realize that people see clearly what’s important to them and who’s important to them, right? Their family, their life, regardless of what they were complaining about or what stresses you have, you realize that the biggest gift you have is your breath and your heartbeat.”

What Metchie discovered is fighting was the common theme for everyone no matter their vital statistics otherwise.

Said Metchie: “The biggest thing I took away is, regardless of age, size, where you came from, everybody had to wake up and fight every day. So, just keeping that and keeping that gratitude at the forefront of your mind for me will always be a good thing.”

Metchie was a full participant in the Texans’ offseason workouts starting in April.

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Texans CB Shaquill Griffin sees WR Robert Woods’ influence on young wideouts

Houston Texans cornerback Shaquill Griffin faced Robert Woods twice in the NFC West, and sees some of his same moves permeating through the WR corps.

Shaquill Griffin and Robert Woods go way back.

From 2017-20, the Houston Texans cornerback and receiver faced each other as foes in the NFC West. Griffin played for the Seattle Seahawks while Woods suited up for the Los Angeles Rams.

It is why when Griffin was asked which receivers had performed well through a week and a half of training camp, all the former Pro Bowler could think about was Woods, the “savvy vet.”

“I got the chance to go against him twice a year when I was with Seattle and for him to continue to show up and be that leader for those guys you could tell they’re picking up a lot of the things that he does,” Griffin said.

Woods tore his ACL after nine games in 2021 when the Rams eventually won the Super Bowl. The former Buffalo Bills 2013 second-rounder spent 2022 with the Tennessee Titans, but hardly produced anywhere near his days in Los Angeles — 53 catches for 527 yards and two touchdowns.

Nevertheless the younger wideouts on the roster — John Metchie, Tank Dell to name a couple — still know Woods’ 142 career games give him credibility on playing the game consistently. Griffin is facing some of Woods’ moves as they permeate throughout the receiving corps.

“Even at the top of his route being able to use his hands and hand play to get off and create separation, I’m starting to see the guys do the same move that he’s doing, so I can tell that he is taking it upon himself to make sure that the young group of receivers is starting to step up in a major way.”

The Texans’ receiving corps doesn’t have a household name, which allows the unit to fly under the radar. However, names will emerge if the corps is able to play with any consistency as Woods as shown throughout his 11-year career.

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Texans OC Bobby Slowik says WR Tank Dell is ‘a joy to coach’

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik says rookie receiver Tank Dell is “a joy to coach.”

The Houston Texans are installing a new scheme as part of the DeMeco Ryans takeover, and it offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s job to get the personnel on the same page.

Slowik spent 2017-22 coaching for Kyle Shanahan on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff. After a year as a defensive assistant, Slowik switched to the offense and worked his way up to passing game coordinator as his last post in 2022.

The 36-year-old has coached a bevy of players in that span, and knows what a pleasure it is to work with Tank Dell.

“He’s extremely fun to coach,” Slowik told reporters Aug. 1 after training camp practice. “That would be the first thing I have to say about Tank is just he is a joy to coach.”

Part of what makes the third-round receiver from Houston an enjoyable part of Slowik’s job is the rookie’s willingness to learn.

Said Slowik: “He’s always listening, he’s [intentional], he wants to work. I think I mentioned in the offseason just how hungry he is, how much he prepares, and he knows how much he has to prepare just [in] how different this was in college. And he goes out, and things you talk about he puts on tape, he does. And he’s an elite separator and it shows up.”

Dell generated 109 catches for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns through his final 13 games with the Houston Cougars last year. If the 5-8, 165-pound wideout is to bring even a fraction of that production to the Texans, it will necessitate the traits Dell has showcased for Slowik.

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Tank Dell has worked on chemistry with Texans’ receivers, not just QB C.J. Stroud

Rookie wideout Tank Dell says he has worked to develop chemistry, not just with QB C.J. Stroud, but also the Houston Texans receiving corps.

Tank Dell took time in the offseason to go on trips with his Houston Texans teammates.

The third-round receiver notably went to Los Angeles to train with No. 2 overall quarterback C.J. Stroud, who should be part of a prolific tandem for seasons to come.

However, Dell wasn’t the only receiver on such trips. Robert Woods and Nico Collins were also working with Stroud as the passing attack worked on plays and routes in an effort to “get on the same page” by training camp.

“When the offseason came, we were going to UH (University of Houston) and throwing in the indoor, went to LA with the receivers,” Dell told reporters Aug. 1 after practice at Houston Methodist Training Center. “I feel like that’s all going to show when we’re going out there to make plays. Defense going to get some reps too because it’s football, but overall, I just feel like we’ve been putting ourselves in a good spot and going out there and making plays.

While quarterback-receiver chemistry is paramount, the cohesion between receivers is also key.

“C.J. trying to ask us what we like and how we like to run things and we’re trying to ask him, pick his brain and kind of maneuver through that combining it all as one, so we can go out there and compete,” Dell said.

Houston’s receiving corps isn’t as familiar to the rest of the NFL as it used to be. Nevertheless the Texans are counting on Dell and other younger wideouts to have breakout seasons to help their rookie quarterback acclimate successfully to the pro level.

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Texans WR Robert Woods describes OC Bobby Slowik as an ‘aggressive’ play-caller

Houston Texans receiver Robert Woods says that new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is “aggressive” as a play-caller.

One of the mysteries surrounding the Houston Texans’ new offense is what type of tempo offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will deploy.

The scheme is familiar as the San Francisco 49ers have been running it since Kyle Shanahan took over as coach in 2017. Shanahan’s version of the West Coast offense is a permutation of what former Texans coach Gary Kubiak was running in Houston from 2006-13.

New Texans receiver Robert Woods pulled back the curtain as to what type of play-caller Slowik will be.

“Aggressive,” Woods told reporters July 27 at Houston Methodist Training Center. “I will say he wants to get his playmakers the ball. He’s aggressive in his coaching.”

Slowik is also holding the players accountable on the field and also in the meeting rooms.

“Getting the guys to be urgent and decisive,” Woods said. “You have a job to do, get to it.”

The pace at which Slowik conducts his interactions with the players generates an overall sense of urgency that must be met.

Said Woods: “He is bringing to our offense and to our team. It’s a short offseason. I think our first preseason game is in two weeks and I think that kind of shows we have a small window to be great, and we’ve got to get there as fast as we can.”

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WATCH: Texans WR Robert Woods works with Tank Dell after training camp practice

Houston Texans receiver Robert Woods spent time with rookie wideout Tank Dell after the second day of training camp.

 

In order for an NFL team to be successful there needs to be cohesion between the younger players and the veterans. The rookies and other ascending players must be willing to learn from the seasoned players, and similarly there must be a willingness from the veterans to work with their juniors.

The Houston Texans’ receiving corps can attest to at least one such occurrence, as 11-year veteran Robert Woods was seen working with third-rounder Tank Dell after practice in video shot by the Texans Wire’s Brian Barefield.

Houston signed the former Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and Tennessee Titans receiver in the offseason as he has experience with the Texans’ new offense — a scheme identical to the San Francisco 49ers.

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Texans should consider drafting Ohio State receiver to help C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans could upgrade their receiving corps one of C.J. Stroud’s former Ohio State targets in Emeka Egbuka.

The state of the Houston Texans’ receiving corps is in a state of flux.

Third-year Nico Collins has dealt with injuries through his first two seasons that have impeded his progress. Former 2022 second-rounder John Metchie is essentially entering his rookie season having had to beat leukemia last year. Rookie Tank Dell was explosive with the Houston Cougars, but the third-rounder’s diminutive size could hamper him in the pros. Throw in Robert Woods and Noah Brown as veteran stopgaps, and the Texans’ receiving corps could still lack big-play potential entering next offseason.

According to Dalton Wasserman from Pro Football Focus, if the Texans wanted to fix their problems at receiver, they should look for one of C.J. Stroud’s former teammates in the 2024 NFL draft in Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka.

Marvin Harrison Jr. will dominate the headlines leading up to next year’s draft, but Egbuka is nearly as good. Egbuka’s 83.7 receiving grade ranked 14th in the FBS while catching passes from current Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Egbuka is a terrific route runner and has the speed to threaten defenses after the catch. His prior chemistry with Stroud would accelerate the Texans’ offensive development.

With Stroud throwing Egbuka the ball last season, the 6-1, 203-pound wideout caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns through 13 games.

The Egbuka pick through the first two days of the draft would only make sense if the Texans truly needed help. Collins, Metchie, or Dell still have the upcoming season to prove to the Texans’ talent evaluators that the No. 1 receiver is already on the roster.

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Texans dead last in ESPN’s WR-RB-TE rankings

The Houston Texans’ collection of running backs, receivers, and tight ends wasn’t good enough to move off last place in ESPN’s latest rankings.

The Houston Texans have added to their skill positions in the 2023 offseason.

Whether through free agency or the draft, the Texans gathered personnel to give rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud help as the No. 2 overall takes command of the offense.

According to Bill Barnwell from ESPN, who ranked all 32 teams by their running backs, receivers, and tight ends, the Texans came up last. Admittedly the rankings were skewed towards receivers, which neutralized the impact of running back Dameon Pierce and tight end Dalton Schultz.

At the same time, the Texans ranked 32nd last year and then traded their only wide receiver of any relevance, Brandin Cooks, to the Cowboys. He’ll be replaced in the starting lineup by Robert Woods, who didn’t show much after the catch with the Titans last season after he tore an ACL with the Rams in November 2021. At 31, Woods might be here for his professionalism and run blocking as much as for his ability as a receiver.

The hope will yet again be for the young guys to break through. Nico Collins has averaged just under 39 receiving yards per game the past two seasons, despite playing a majority of the snaps in his appearances. Quarterback play hasn’t helped, but he has one game over 70 receiving yards. Third-round rookie Tank Dell, meanwhile, will need to prove his 5-foot-8 frame can take regular offensive snaps at the highest level. Dell’s primary role in 2023 likely will be on punt returns.

Collins played four fewer games in 2022 yet managed to increase production with 37 catches for 481 yards and two touchdowns. If the Texans are able to have Collins stay healthy and available, it should give Stroud a consistent target.

Another element to the Texans’ skill positions that remains to be seen is receiver John Metchie, who battled leukemia last offseason and missed his rookie year. Should Metchie acclimate to the game quickly, the Texans could have another weapon to elevate their perception as an also-ran offense.

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WR Noah Brown says Texans have ‘real creative coordinator’ in Bobby Slowik

Receiver Noah Brown says the Houston Texans have a “real creative coordinator” in new OC Bobby Slowik, who came over from the San Francisco 49ers.

Noah Brown proved what he could do in his last season with the Dallas Cowboys.

The former 2017 seventh-round receiver spent his first five seasons as a staple on special teams.

“I think I came in this league a little bit raw,” Brown told reporters June 13 during mandatory minicamp. “I had to find my way on the field however I could. That started off being mostly blocking and special teams. But as that’s gone on, you find a way on to the field for maybe a blocking package, then all of a sudden you find yourself getting in packages for pass plays.”

When Dallas traded Amari Cooper and allowed Cedrick Wilson to depart in free agency last season, it afforded an opportunity for Brown to make more of an impact. The former Ohio State product saw his offensive snaps go from 302 in 2021 to 822 in 2022.

“I think I’ve taken advantage of every one of those steps, last year being another one,” Brown said. “I think I have a chance to expand on that again this year.”

Brown caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games last season, 13 of which he started. The production was enough to warrant interest from the Texans, who signed the 6-2, 225-pounder in free agency.

One of the aspects of the offense that attracted Brown to Houston was offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

Said Slowik: “I’m really excited about the offense. I think we have a real creative coordinator. I think we have a lot of talented pieces, some of which are a little bit unknown in this league. Which I think is going to work to our advantage. I’m excited to be a part of this offense.”

Slowik previously was the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, and their pass game specialist the year prior. The 49ers knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs the past two seasons.

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