Tag: Texans receivers

Texans WRs Brandin Cooks and Chris Conley return to practice

Houston Texans receivers Brandin Cooks, Chris Conley returned to practice, but Sunday could still be a great day for the rookies.

HOUSTON — Amid injuries and illnesses, the Houston Texans’ wide receiver corps could be extremely thin during their Week 13 match against the 6-6 Indianapolis Colts.

Two of the Texans’ top receivers are questionable for Sunday’s AFC South showdown at NRG Stadium, including Houston’s top wideout Brandin Cooks. The 28-year-old veteran was one of five Texans battling a non-COVID illness that led to the franchise hosting a virtual practice via Zoom on Wednesday.

Although he has missed the first two days of in-person practices, Cooks continued to prepare against the Colts with starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

“Obviously, I want him to feel better — it is never fun or a good thing when someone is sick,” Taylor said following practice on Thursday. “I’ve called him just about every other hour to make sure he is alright. We have talked about a few things to make sure we are on the same game plan. We are trusting that he will be ready to be out there with us on Sunday.”

Taylor said he called Cooks so much over the previous few days that his top target could be getting tired of speaking over the phone.

With 704 receiving yards on the season, Cooks is currently leading the Texans for most reception yardage through the first 11 games. Houston’s second-leading receiver Chris Conley — who has caught 233 yards on the year — is also questionable due to an illness. Both Cooks and Conley returned to practice on Friday.

With Danny Amendola on injured reserve following arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday, the game against the Colts is staging to be a significant opportunity for rookies Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan to prove their worth as reliable threats in Houston’s passing game for the near future.

“My confidence is getting better,” Collins said. “I feel like I am getting more confident in my game — understanding the game and the speed of it. I still feel there is room for me to work on my game, work on the things I feel I need to improve on most. I feel like I need to study defenses more — anything I feel I can up my game on. There is always room for improvement.”

Leading up to the Texans’ 21-14 loss to the New York Jets, Taylor spoke on the chemistry and growth he has seen from both Collins and Jordan.

“We just have to continue talking on the field, talking through film, getting extra work after practice and making sure we see it the same way,” Taylor said. “Those two guys, Nico and Brevin, have tremendous talent and we’re going to need them to keep playing at a high level for our success moving forward.”

Collins is entering Sunday’s game as the Texans’ third-leading receiver with 228 reception yards. Jordan is second for most receiving touchdowns with three.

Could Texans WR Chris Moore see a resurgence with Danny Amendola injured?

With Houston Texans receiver Danny Amendola undergoing knee surgery, could Chris Moore see a resurgence?

HOUSTON — Houston Texans’ wide receiver Danny Amendola may have played his final game of the season.

According to Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, Amendola could miss up to four weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his knee to repair a torn meniscus on Tuesday.

Amendola sustained the knee injury during the Texans’ 21-14 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, and with the team sitting at 2-9 with six games left, it could be in his best interest to call it a season.

In Amendola’s absence, the Texans will likely fill his void with Chris Moore.

When Amendola missed four consecutive games earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury, Moore replaced the injured receiver in the lineup and had established himself as an essential part of the Texans’ passing game.

“He does a great job out there when we ask him to fill in — he’s come in and made plays for us,” offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said in October. “Even going back to the preseason, he made some big plays for us in the Dallas game, he made a big catch for us in the Tampa game.”

“He’s a guy who has produced at the NFL level and we are looking forward for him continuing to grow in this offense.”

Moore recorded nine catches on 10 targets for 123 yards in 102 offensive snaps. His best game of the season came during the Texans’ 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots, where he registered a career-best 109 yards and completed all five of his targets.

But following Amendola’s return, Moore experienced a decline in his production by receiving only 58 offensive snaps over the previous four games.

Prior to his early contributions in the wake of Amendola’s first injury, Moore was designated to the Texans practice squad at the start of the season.

It was the first time in Moore’s career he was designated to the practice squad after the Baltimore Ravens drafted the Cincinnati prodigy in the 4th round (No. 107th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Before signing a one-year contract with the Texans, Moore played his first four seasons with the Ravens, recording 511 yards on 47 catches and four touchdowns.

Why has Texans WR Brandin Cooks seen his production decrease?

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks has had his production dip over the past few weeks, but offensive coordinator Tim Kelly knows why.

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks has quietly been building toward another 1,000-yard season, and the NFL adding a 17th game is immaterial to meeting that threshold.

Cooks has generated 59 passes for 659 yards and two touchdowns through 10 games. Albeit the former New Orleans Saints 2014 first-round pick could comfortably reach that mark in the next six games, the past three games suggest his production is on the decline. Cooks has had receiving yards of 18, 56, and 83 in the past three games.

According to offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, the lack of production on Cooks’ part isn’t a cause for concern or an indictment of his play. Rather, the game plans have moved in different directions and through Cooks.

“I think there was a lot of things, weather being probably a big factor in that,” said Kelly. “The way the game was going in terms of us wanting to make sure we were controlling the ball and not exposing the football. So, I think there was a number of different factors, nothing anybody was doing to take him away, or nothing that he’s doing.”

In the past two games, quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been back under center for the Texans. Taylor was horrendous in his Week 9 return as he threw three interceptions, and Week 11’s win at the Tennessee Titans was a rain-soaked affair at Nissan Stadium. Houston’s offense was led by Taylor’s rushing ability as he scored two rushing touchdowns in the 22-13 win.

“[Cooks] was open on a couple opportunities, and for whatever reason, weren’t able to get the ball to him,” said Kelly.

The 2-8 Texans take on the 2-8 New York Jets Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium. In friendlier confines, Cooks should be able to find a few more targets and continue his upward trend towards his sixth career 1,000-yard season.

Brandin Cooks seems furious about Texans trading Mark Ingram: ‘Such a joke’

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks was not happy about something and posted a swear word from his Twitter account for the first time since 2013.

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks isn’t pleased about something, and it could be related to the trade the team is engaged in with the New Orleans Saints.

Cooks posted a cryptic yet perturbed message on Twitter at around the time the Mark Ingram trade was announced. The timing of it is significant and also that Cooks used profanity on his Twitter account for the first time since 2013, when he was in his final year of college with the Oregon State Beavers.

The Texans are providing plenty of grist for the frustration mill. At 1-6, the prospect of a competitive season is withering away with, not only each loss, but every win the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts rack up. Houston’s downfield passing attack is nonexistent, unless it is at NRG Stadium. The Texans are also on a six-game losing streak, and mounting losses, no matter the record, take a toll on players.

Center Justin Britt was asked for an instant reaction to the Texans’ trading of Ingram, and all the offensive lineman could say was how great of a teammate he was.

“I know that Mark is a really good teammate, a really good leader, good person overall,” Britt said. “Any organization would be lucky to have him, and he’ll definitely be missed here.”

The Texans take on Cooks’ most recent team, the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.

WR Brandin Cooks says Texans had a better week of practice

The Houston Texans had a better week of practice ahead of their matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, according to receiver Brandin Cooks.

The Houston Texans didn’t finish Week 6 on a great note.

Not only did the Texans take it on the chin 31-3 to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, which came after a players only meeting, but receiver Brandin Cooks stated that in order for a team to be disciplined, each individual player has to want to be disciplined.

At 1-5 and with a rookie quarterback under center starting for four of the team’s five-game losing streak, it would be easy to choose discouragement, especially when the Texans have the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Central Time at State Farm Stadium.

However, according to Cooks, the Texans had a better week of practice leading up to their Week 7 encounter.

“[Discipline] is through practice, and I think we’re having a better week of practice in our process,” said Cooks. “We’ve got to continue to trust it and be consistent at it, and hopefully those things will show up in the game, as well.”

Cooks has been arguably the Texans’ most consistent player with 40 catches for 481 yards and a touchdown. The former 2014 first-round pick is on pace to have another 1,000-yard season and a decent chance at going over 100 catches.

The 28-year-old wideout says the players didn’t have a meeting this week, but merely went “straight to practice.”

Texans vs. Cardinals Thursday injury report: WR Nico Collins limited

The Houston Texans released their second injury report of Week 7, and rookie WR Nico Collins was added as a limited participant.

The Houston Texans released their second injury report for Week 7 as they get ready to play the Arizona Cardinals Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Central Time at State Farm Stadium.

Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock was added to the report as a non-participant as he works back from the COVID-19 reserve. Blacklock’s injury was listed as “not injury related.”

Quarterback Deshaun Watson (not injury related) and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson (back) were also non-participants.

Rookie receiver Nico Collins was added to the report with a foot injury, and was limited.

Center Justin Britt (knee) was limited. Receiver Chris Conley (neck) was limited for the second straight day.

Receiver Danny Amendola (thigh) was a full participant for the second straight day.

For information on Arizona’s injury report, check out the Cards Wire.

Chargers to sign former Texans WR Andre Roberts

The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to sign former Houston Texans receiver Andre Roberts.

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Roberts is quickly finding work after being released from the team earlier this week.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to sign the three-time Pro Bowler and former 2018 All-Pro.

Roberts was hardly on pace to have a meritorious season with the Texans. Through six games, Roberts averaged 4.1 yards per punt return and 21.4 yards per kickoff return. The 33-year-old also had two fumbles.

In the passing game, Roberts caught a 35-yard pass from rookie quarterback Davis Mills late in the 31-21 loss at the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.

The Texans are expected to make former Chargers cornerback Desmond King their primary returner with Roberts off the roster.

Did a knee injury result in Andre Roberts lack of production with the Texans?

Andre Roberts’ production was pedestrian with the Houston Texans. Was a knee injury to blame?

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans released return specialist Andre Roberts Monday afternoon, as reported by Sports Talk 790 reporter Aaron Wilson. Roberts appeared in six games for the Texans, where he muffed two punts earlier in the season for the first time in his career.

Roberts never resembled the player that bestowed him as one of the best kick-off returners over the past decade, as he averaged 21.4 yards per return with the Texans — which marked his lowest average since 2011.

While some may claim that father time is the rationale behind his lack of production at 33 years old, a knee injury could have defaulter Roberts’ time in Houston.

“That’s unlike him,” coach David Culley said following the Texans’ loss to the Carolina Panthers in late September. “He’s never had a history of doing that. Obviously, that’s not acceptable for us to do that and he understands that. But as I said last night, I have the upmost confidence in him and hopefully he comes out of that.”

Before the start of the 2021 campaign, Roberts missed the entire preseason and nearly all of training camp with a bruised knee.

Roberts told reporters he felt “great” ahead of the Texans’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But a growing disconnect between the former Pro-Bowler and the Texans organization began to emerge regarding his availability.

Beginning with a torn meniscus in 2015, Roberts has dealt with a plethora of lower leg injuries that have thwarted his career. In August, Roberts spoke on the precaution he has taken to improve his health in hopes of getting through an entire NFL season.

“A lot of treatment, a little bit of luck,” he said during Texans training camp. “In the NFL, you’re going to have an injury here and there. But a little bit of luck, try to stay away from concussions, try to stay away from those big hits, and I try to do my best with that every year.”

The jettison of Roberts marks the third offseason acquisition general manager Nick Caserio released mid-season, and there is a great possibility that more will follow.

But while the culture and lack of on-field production played a factor in the release of Anthony Miller and Shaq Lawson, Roberts’ dismissal could have been due to the results of playing on a mutilated knee that wasn’t ready to take on the wear and tear of the Texans’ season.

Following the release of Roberts, nickel Desmond King will likely take the helm as the Texans’ full-time kickoff returner moving forward.

Texans WR Chris Conley questionable with neck injury

Houston Texans receiver Chris Conley is questionable to return with a neck injury against the Indianapolis Colts.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans wide receiver Chris Conley sustained a neck injury during their Week 6 match against the Indianapolis Colts, and his return is questionable. At the time of his injury, Conley had 10 yards on one catch for the game.

With Conley out, the Texans will rely upon rookie wideout Nico Collins and Chris Moore — as the two receivers have recorded a combined 50 yards on six receptions midway through the third quarter.

Although his numbers do not justify his significance to the Texans’ offense, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly says Conley does every the coaching staff ask of him.

“Chris does a great job, he does everything we ask him to do,” Kelly said ahead of the Texans’ practice on Thursday. “We are going to try to continue to get him the ball, obviously we saw on Sunday [against the New England Patriots] good things happen when he touches it.”

Texans vs. Patriots Wednesday injury report: WRs Brandin Cooks, Chris Conley did not practice

The Houston Texans released their Wednesday injury report ahead of their Week 5 encounter with the New England Patriots.

The Houston Texans released their first injury report of Week 5 as they gear up to face the New England Patriots Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.

The Texans listed receivers Chris Conley and Brandin Cooks as non-participants but specified it was not injury related. However, the non-injury related reason is probably unrelated to quarterback Deshaun Watson’s reason for being out of practice for non-injury related reasons all season.

Other players who did not practice were tackle Marcus Cannon (back), running back Rex Burkhead (hip), and center Justin Britt (knee).

Receiver Danny Amendola (thigh) was a limited participant in practice.

Cornerback Jimmy Moreland (illness) and running back Scottie Phillips (illness) were both full participants.

Although he was not on the Week 5 injury report, it does bear mentioning that safety Justin Reid, who was on last week’s injury report with a knee injury and missed Week 3’s Thursday nighter before of it, was not listed on Houston’s injury reprot.

Tackle Trent Brown (calf), guard Shaq Mason (abdomen), and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) did not practice for New England.

For more information on New England’s injury report, check out the Patriots Wire.