Houston Texans: How to fix the Will Fuller dilemma

The Houston Texans have suffered a considerable blow to their robust offense with announcement that one of their top wideouts will be on the shelf.

Will Fuller injured himself earlier today out on the practice field at the Houston Texans training camp while catching a pass.  After receiving the ball from the pass, he fell hard on his collarbone, ensuring that it was clean break.  These injuries aren’t always the easiest to come from but because of his youth, we can only hope that he can heal as quickly as possible so he can return to the field and do great things.

I talked about this tonight with my co-host Robert Land on the Locked on Texans podcast:

This is certainly news that we didn’t need as this receiver is trying to gain rapport with a new quarterback in Tom Savage.  Reps are most important between these two because of the inexperience for both at their respective positions.  I don’t worry about DeAndre Hopkins too much because it seems things between he and Savage are right on the schedule.  But with Fuller being out now, what gives?

ESPN’s Sarah Barshop and Adam Schefter had the scoop:

But FOX 26’s Mark Berman provided a clearer depiction of when he’d return:

So that puts Fuller returning back around the first week of October which is Week 4 against the Titans at home.  That’s a tough opponent to take on considering it will be up in air in terms of his readiness for such a opponent.  Let’s just hope the estimates are correct in terms of his return back to the field.

But now that Fuller’s out, who will take his place?  With the Houston Texans hoarding nearly $30 million in cash as far as cap space, they could go shopping for somebody off the street.  The fact they haven’t done that is a testament to confidence in the guys that they have in front of them.  Braxton Miller and Jaelen Strong will have increased roles to step up but they don’t have the speed that Fuller has.

Miller is still getting acclimated to the position as he played quarterback for most of his collegiate career and has had to adjust because his shoulder is nowhere close to where it used to be.  Strong is just trying to get out of the gate period with a myriad of injuries he suffered last season.  The two aforementioned guys aren’t speedy but can be used in a variety of ways on the field.

But here are the remaining guys on the roster:  Dres Anderson, Justin Hardee, Riley McCarron, Devin Street, DeAndrew White and Wendall Williams.  You know who’s going outshine them all?  It’s going to be Wendall.  He’s fast, can play a multitude of positions and showed tremendous flashes of brilliance late last season when he was picked up.  Although he only recorded four receptions for 75 yards in 2016, this guy is ready to bask in his moment of glory and I’m sure he’s ready to step up for the challenge.

We’ll never forget the 32-yard catch Williams made during Savage’s coming out party Dec. 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season.  You see, that’s what I’m talking about, those flashes of brilliance!  These two already have something going and it’s time for that for that relationship to foster as we can use a guy with his traits.

Next: Houston Texans 2017 NFL Draft Report Card

But Texans Nation, don’t panic and just focus on the names of the backs of the jerseys of other free agents.  The guys we have are HUNGRY to make names for themselves so we don’t have necessarily make a deal.  Fuller’s loss will hurt but we’ll be able sustain this blow if the right mix of players are drummed up to win games.  That job is Bill O’Brien‘s and he’s gotta be up to challenge for this.

We’ll have to see — go Texans.