The Houston Texans are adamant in giving receiver Andre Roberts his chances on special teams returns.
The three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has been anything but through the first three games of the season as Roberts has 2.6 yards per punt return and 22.6 yards per kickoff return. The real problem has been his two fumbles on his punt returns in the past two games, one of which was lost and led to an opponent score.
It isn’t as though the Texans don’t have options on the roster. Enter cornerback Desmond King. The former Los Angeles Charger and Tennessee Titan actually has two punt returns for touchdown in his career, and has an 8.9 yards per punt return. At least for punt returns, the Texans place King back there on punt returns, at least while Roberts works through his ball security problems.
King’s main focus is to be a team player and do whatever the coaches ask.
“Right now, Andre is the primary returner for our team,” said King. “That’s all I really know. If something does happen, I know I’m the next man up in that role. But right now, Andre is the primary returner.”
King still believes in his teammate to work through his issues and give the Texans an edge on special teams.
Said King: “He made All-Pro there. So, we believe that he’s going to continue to try to make that status known when he gets the ball on the field.”
The Texans take on the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Highmark Stadium. If the Texans are to get to 2-2 and keep pace with the Tennessee Titans in the race for the AFC South, they will need their transition phase of the game to be something other than a hindrance to whatever momentum builds on offense and defense.