Why are the Texans giving more playing time to rookie TE Brevin Jordan?

The Houston Texans switched up their tight end lineup in Week 11 and gave more playing time to rookie Brevin Jordan. OC Tim Kelly explains why.

There was quite the surprise on Sunday in Week 11 ahead of the Houston Texans’ matchup with the Tennessee Titans when rookie Brevin Jordan was named the starter at the expense of Jordan Akins’ activation.

The fifth-rounder from Miami saw his second start of the season and produced a catch for seven yards.

“He’s put together a few good weeks of practice,” offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said. “He shows the ability to separate, shows the ability to get open. It showed up a couple times on third downs, caught one of them, probably had two of them that he should’ve come down with, probably. I think he’d tell you the same thing.”

However, it isn’t Jordan’s prowess in the passing game that has earned him playing time. It is the 6-3, 245-pound tight end’s willingness to block that has garnered him playing time.

“The other thing that’s been encouraging is that he’s not afraid to stick his face in there and to go block, and to try and be physical,” said Kelly. “While he may not be as big as some of the other guys that we have, he goes in there, he competes, he battles and he tries to do everything we ask him to do in the run game, as well as the pass game.”

Jordan may get another chance to start as the Texans take on the equally 2-8 New York Jets Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.