:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59796715/usa_today_10071039.0.jpg)
Slap some duct tape on a helmet and scribble a last name on it, because the Houston Texans are starting their organized team activities today. It’s the last part of their offseason program. Houston will have ten non-contact practices over the course of the next three weeks, and OTAs will conclude with a final mandatory three-day minicamp that will run from June 12 to June 14. Training camp will start in July.
Even though there isn’t any hitting, these practices set the foundation for the team before training camp begins. The players can run plays against air; implement, run and understand the playbook; gain some understanding of what the other ten guys on the field are doing; and improve on technical aspects of the position like footwork. For a team like Houston, with a brand new offensive line and secondary, and with Romeo Crennel getting another opportunity to run the defense, these practices will be important to transition and smooth out the amount of changes that happened since the 2017 season ended.
Oh, and of course the most important thing: Yes, Deshaun Watson will be out there. Texans Wire reports that Watson will be on the field, but will not be doing any running.
Deshaun Watson will get back on the field for the first time since tearing his ACL six months ago when the Houston Texans kick off the full team organized team activities, or OTAs, this week.
Watson will work out in front of the coaches and go through some of the drills, though he will not run. Per the CBA, all of this phase of OTAs will be noncontact.
It’s a chance for coach Bill O’Brien and all of Watson’s teammates to gauge his progress and see how quickly he is rehabilitating from his November surgery on his right ACL.
Are you ready for some OTAs?