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Will Fuller’s extensive injury history has been well documented here before, so I’m not going to rehash it yet again. All I’ll say is that Fuller’s latest injury, suffered against the Buccaneers two days ago, will keep him out of the Texans’ regular season finale against the Titans on Sunday afternoon and could very well prevent him from playing in Houston’s Wild Card game in the AFC Playoffs a week later. Ian Rapoport reported that the groin tweak “is likely a three-week injury.”
#Texans speedy WR Will Fuller’s groin injury will keep him off the field in Week 17 and is likely a three-week injury, sources say following tests. Fuller has an outside chance to play in their first playoff game and will likely be available if they win and advance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019
Aaron Wilson says there is “some possibility [Fuller] could return within two to three weeks.”
Texans wide receiver Will Fuller is out for the Titans game due to a groin injury suffered Saturday and his status for the playoffs is in doubt with some possibility he could return within two to three weeks, league sources confirm
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 23, 2019
The Texans simply cannot count on Fuller to suit up week after week. His availability, if it wasn’t already, has to strictly be considered a bonus. Moving forward, Bill O’Brien has to game-plan as though his WR2 won’t be able to play. Fortunately, it seems clear O’Brien recognizes this reality, as this post-game soundbite from Tampa indicates:
Bill O'Brien on Will Fuller: "I don't know what to tell ya, he's a great guy, love coaching him, but it's hard for him to stay healthy. That's the bottom line. Hopefully we can help him stay healthy, because this team's a very good team when we have him in the lineup." pic.twitter.com/eWIPRaFth5
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) December 21, 2019
Here’s hoping Fuller is able to defy the odds, come back next week for the NFL Playoffs, and somehow remain active and productive throughout a deep postseason run.