Texans Training Camp Preview Profile: Andre Johnson
Dec 5, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson (80) carries the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Throughout the month of July, the Toro Times will profile players on the offense and defense of the Houston Texans as training camp nears).
What will the Houston Texans do with veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson, and what does Johnson want his future to be with the Texans?
Those are just two of the questions that will surround the Texans’ training camp if Johnson doesn’t report in late July.
In an NFL.com article on July 10 by Marc Sessler, it quoted Johnson as saying:
"“Hopefully. We’ll see what happens,” Johnson told NFL Media’s Marcus Smith. “Training camp’s three weeks away, so we’ll see what happens.”"
If Johnson returns to the Texans, I believe he’ll help this team gain more than two wins like they did last season, but if he doesn’t, no matter how good the Texans are on defense, I question how much the offense will hold them back.
It will be interesting to see how all of this turns out, but I still believe Johnson is still one of the Top 10 wide receivers in the NFL.
Last season, Johnson had 109 receptions for 1,407 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch with Matt Schaub and Case Keenum throwing passes.
Johnson had six games of 100-plus yards, with his best game coming in Week 9 where he had nine receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 13.
This offseason, the Texans named free agent signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, so it looks like it will be up to Johnson to make the plays on offense, because their current starting QB just isn’t that dependable.
For his career, Johnson has 12,661 yards and 61 touchdowns on 927 receptions since the 2003 season.
If he and the Texans can’t come to some sort of agreement before camp, I think it would be in the best interest of both parties to just part ways so the absence of Johnson when camp begins isn’t a distraction.
Thoughts?