PLAYER NOTES
–QB Deshaun Watson was a full participant in practice after last week being limited all week with a chest injury. Watson is expected to make his first career start against Jacksonville on Sunday.
–WR Will Fuller V was limited in practice due to falling on a camera in the back of the end zone. His hip hit hard on a camera left on the ground by a photographer on a deep pass that resulted in a pass interference.
–G Zach Fulton started the week not practicing due to an ankle injury. He has played every snap this season at right guard and his status will become clear as the weekend arrives.
–WR Keke Coutee is still dealing with a hamstring issue, the same one he has been working to get healthy since injuring it in the preseason. Coutee is expected to get the snaps this weekend from the slot position. He needs 10 receptions to tie Anquan Boldin (30) for the most receptions through a player’s first four career games since the AFL/NFL merger.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Deshaun Watson. With the beating that Watson took two weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys it was clear those bumps and bruises changed his style of play in their win against the Buffalo Bills. Deemed healthy this week, Watson is getting his first career start against the Jaguars and this could be an important game for the Texans to set them on their way for the remainder of the season. The Texans have had some unconvincing wins against the Colts, Cowboys and Bills, so a win against the Jaguars could be the shot in the arm the Texans have been waiting for. It all starts and ends with Watson taking care of the football. In 13 career games, Watson has 18 turnovers (15 interceptions, three fumbles lost).
GAME PLAN: The Texans have to protect Deshaun Watson and it is more than just the offensive line’s responsibility. The Texans gave up 14 sacks and 22 quarterback hits in their two losses against the Jaguars in 2017. The Texans this season have given up a NFL-high 65 quarterback hits and the second most 25 quarterback sacks.
With the success Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley had from the slot wide receiver spot, Texans slot receiver Keke Coutee has a chance to be that player for the offense on Sunday. With the strong play on the outside of the defense, Coutee will be an important player in getting into the teeth of the defense to attack the middle of the field.
With the recent struggles of Blake Bortles, the Texans have to find a way to get him to turn the ball over on Sunday. Bortles has thrown five interceptions in the past two games and completing less than 58 percent of his passes during that stretch. With no Leonard Fournette, the Texans need to make sure the Jaguars depend on Bortles to carry them and beat them with his arm.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Texans WR Keke Coutee vs. Jagaurs CB Tyler Patmon. If last week was any indication, the work Dallas receiver Cole Beasley did from the slot should be a welcome sign for the new slot in Houston with Coutee. With Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye on the outside covering, it could mean big opportunities for Coutee in the middle of the field.
–Texans T Kendall Lamm vs. Jaguars DE Calais Campbell. If there was anything that has not been pretty, it is what Campbell has done to Lamm at tackle. In Week 1 last season, he put up four sacks against the Texans and Lamm was picked on the most by the Jaguars defense. Lamm has a chance to redeem himself after a rough stretch in 2017.
