The Houston Texans waived Keke Coutee as part of their process to finalize a 53-man roster on Tuesday.
The waiving of Coutee could be the end of the 2018 fourth-round pick’s run in Houston. Coutee has to clear waivers before the Texans can try to sign him to their practice squad after 11:00 a.m. on Sept. 1.
Coutee told reporters on Aug. 3 that he could feel his growth as a player as he entered his fourth season in pro football.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot, this being my fourth year in the league,” Coutee said. “Obviously still have more to get better at as well, so I’m just focused on different, little things every day, just focusing on one thing at a time.”
Coutee led the Texans in preseason with six catches. However, his receiving yards, 58, were second to wideout Chris Moore’s 79. Coutee did not catch a touchdown pass as rookie Nico Collins and Jordan Veasy were the only Texans to do so in their three-game preseason.
The former Lufkin Panther did catch a two-point conversion and also returned a punt for 12 yards.
Coutee’s preseason wasn’t compromised by availability issues, as that was one of the areas that he worked on in the offseason.
Said Coutee: ““Just learning from my past situations, past injuries, as well, and just learning how to be a pro and take care of my body and just be out there as much as I can and just being available.”
The Coutee era may be over in Houston, but the former Texas Tech Red Raider should be able to contribute on an another NFL squad looking for a shifty slot receiver.
Through 23 career games, Coutee caught 83 passes for 941 yards and four touchdowns. He also took five carries for 14 yards and a touchdown. All three of his career 100-yard receiving games have come in the regular season or postseason against the Indianapolis Colts.