The Houston Texans claimed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves off waivers on Wednesday. He walked through the canals of NRG Stadium on Thursday, though, he was not at the media portion of practice.
The Texans are unsure of Hargreaves’ ability to play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Being that he found a home in Houston on Wednesday — after his cut by the Buccaneers on Tuesday — he is just beginning to adjust to his new team.
“What’s tough is the acclimation period, because it’s new terminology, it’s new teammates, it’s a new system, it’s new schedules and all of those. So, all of that — that acclimation period, that’s really tough and until he can get acclimated, he’s going to be a little off a little bit,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Thursday. “But then once that period is over with, then he kind of falls into step with everybody else.”
Hargreaves’ acclimation to Houston and the Texans’ defensive scheme will depict whether or not he plays on Sunday. His status as a first-round pick in 2016 does not impact the decision to play him or not.
“I know that he was a number one draft choice, but just like anyone new that we bring in, you’ve got to put them out there and you’ve got to see what they can do and get a feel for them, what their personality is and those kind of thing,” Crennel said. “So, we’ll start doing that and then I’ll have a better opinion.”
A former Florida Gator, Hargreaves allowed a 108.6 passer rating in coverage in 2019 before his release. In 35 career games played, 33 starts, he has 19 pass deflections and a pair of interceptions.
It doesn’t matter how talented Hargreaves is, if he doesn’t know the defensive play calls, he is susceptible to looking like a deer in the headlights. Communication is key, not experience in Tampa Bay.
“He’s been a starter and he’s played in the league,” said Crennel. “So, you can take a starter and put him into the game. Now, will he know all the communication that’s necessary and all that?”
Simply put, by Crennel, the Texans are “not sure” if Hargreaves will play on Sunday. If he doesn’t, they will rely on a healthy cornerback group, with Gareon Conley, Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby expected to start.