The Houston Texans could enter their Week 17 matchup with the Tennessee Titans with little to play for. If the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the game three-plus hours before, they will lock into the fourth-seed, meaning they could afford to rest and prep for the postseason.
Though coach Bill O'Brien has given no indication of the Texans resting players on Sunday, their injury report does. On Friday, the team announced that seven are questionable to play against the Titans, who would go to the playoffs as the sixth seed with a win. Included in the seven are quarterback Deshaun Watson (back) and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (illness).
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle), wide receiver Kenny Stills (knee), cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring), outside linebacker Jacob Martin (knee) and safety Jahleel Addae (Achilles) joined the two as questionable. All but Martin and Addae are starters.
As expected, the Texans ruled wide receiver Will Fuller as out with a groin injury. The oft-injured speed merchant may enter the postseason under the same designation.
Though questionable, Watson said on Thursday that he expects to play on Sunday, no matter if the game is meaningless.
“I don't want to take a day off, if that was a question,” Watson said on Thursday. “But I'm not expecting it, just going out there to do my job, find a way to get 11 wins and continue this momentum going into the playoffs.”
If the Texans were to rest Watson, backup A.J. McCarron would get the start. Receivers Steven Mitchell, DeAndre Carter and Keke Coutee could fill-in for Hopkins, Stills and Fuller.
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