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Chad Hansen hadn’t played an NFL game since Dec. 31, 2017, when he was a rookie with the New York Jets. With Houston Texans receivers Will Fuller suspended and Randall Cobb on injured reserve, there was a chance Hansen would play against the Indianapolis Colts.
Because it was a possibility, quarterback Deshaun Watson kept the confidence level of Hansen high throughout the week.
“He’s a great leader,” Hansen said. “He leads by example. I know what the standard is when I walk in that huddle. I prepared like I was a starter this week, and he helped me with my confidence and all that stuff. He threw me balls during the week and helped me with that confidence going into this game, so I think that was huge for me.”
Hansen isn’t a Johnny Come Lately to the Texans’ passing game. The former fourth-round pick has been with the Texans since training camp of 2019. During the COVID-19 offseason, the 6-2, 202-pound wideout followed Watson around and worked out with him.
“When I went to Georgia, when I went to Miami, went to California, everywhere I went, Chad was always there,” Watson said. “I’m very confident in him and what he can do for us to help us out, and he showed it today. He’s going to make big-time catches, and he’s going to be ready and prepared, and that’s what he was.”
Hansen caught five passes for 101 yards. His career yards heading into the game were 94. To have that big of a debut game was refreshing and satisfying for Hansen, though the team fell to the Colts 26-20 at NRG Stadium.
Said Hansen: “Man, you know, it’s been a journey. I haven’t played meaningful football in two and a half, three years. Just being able to go out there and perform, it was just a blessing, and just kind of speaks to staying ready. It’s a crazy business.”
What helped Hansen was to assume the position of being a starter all throughout the season, even though other receivers such as Kenny Stills, Isaiah Coulter, Keke Coutee, and Steven Mitchell were getting more legitimate chances.
“If you’re in there, you’ve got to play like a starter,” said Hansen. “That was kind of my mentality going into it. I was kind of treating this mentally like I’ve been the starter all year, just so I don’t have any jitters, I’m not nervous, so I could go out there and perform.”