Texans morning huddle: James returns, Hoyer impresses
By Randy Gurzi
Good morning Texans fans, and happy Tuesday. Today’s huddle brings links about how the Houston Texans made sure to let their fans know that there will be no more quarterback changes and they also brought back a familiar face. Enjoy;
Brian Hoyer earns game ball and starting job – by Deepi Sidhu, HoustonTexans.com
"Brian Hoyer earned more than just a game ball with his 293 yards passing and three-touchdown performance on Sunday. After the Texans 31-20 win over the Jaguars, he also solidified his job as starting quarterback.“I would say he’s our quarterback,” Bill O’Brien said Monday. “We are sticking with him. He’s playing really well. He’s playing at a high level and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”When O’Brien first announced Hoyer as the starting quarterback on Oct. 9, it was only for the Jacksonville game. O’Brien wanted to approach each game, week-by-week and didn’t make any promises for the remainder of the season. However, Hoyer’s approach after losing his starting status and continued work ethic helped him earn O’Brien’s confidence for more than just one week.“Brian approached it very well, like the true professional that he is,” O”Brien said. “He’s been around for a while. He’s been through the ups and downs of this league, especially at that position. He’s been injured, he’s been cut, he’s been everything that you guys have written about him, good and bad. He approached it the right way, and I think he showed up this week in practice and had a good week and it showed up on the field.”"
22 observations from the Texans win over the Jaguars – by John Harris, HoustonTexans.com
"There’s no such thing as winning ugly.Just stop after winning because ugly, pretty, voraciously or aggressively, a W is a W and the Texans handled business on Sunday in Jacksonville. After the Texans left Julius Thomas wide open down the seam for the go-ahead touchdown, EverBankStadium was jumping. However, the Texans answered and answered with authority. The 21-point fourth quarter answer was as definitive as any one the Texans delivered this season. The Jaguars have some serious young talent so getting out of their building with a victory was a good way to spend a Sunday.Here are my observations from my spot on the sideline.1. I didn’t have to be standing on the sidelines to see how dominant DeAndre Hopkins was on Sunday but it was a great place to see him do his work, yet again. He hasn’t been slowed one bit this entire season. The Jaguars decided to put Davon House on Hop all over the field but that tactic didn’t work all that well for the Jaguars defense. Hopkins finished with ten catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He caught passes all over the field. He trapped one on his head. He made a sliding catch, juggled and held on for his first touchdown. He blew past House on his second TD, a 29-yard backbreaker.2. Getting on the plane to fly home, Omar Majzoub and Brett Maikowski, Texans PR superstars, told me that Hopkins is the first player in NFL history to have a minimum nine receptions and 145 yards in three straight games. IN. NFL. HISTORY. I guess someone should send a note to NFL Films/Hard Knocks and let them know that Hopkins is doing just fine as the team’s number one option. I kid, I kid, but he’s been nothing short of outstanding.3. Just prior to Hopkins first touchdown, I moved to the back of the end zone, anticipating a possible field goal attempt. On third down, when Brian Hoyer released the ball into the end zone, I couldn’t see Hopkins. I just saw Jaguar hands and for a brief second, I thought it was picked. But, that ball found its way to Hopkins and then he juggled it a bit. My heart, again, skipped a beat while he snatched and held on before a Jaguar could knock it away from him. Then, he cradled it for the touchdown. I’m sure I looked like a fool on television (not my first time) because I lost it. That was the capper on a nine play, 81 yard, 3:45 minute…ANSWER. That made it 17-14 and sent the Texans sideline into delirium."
Report: Texans’ Lonnie Ballentine has torn PCL, MCL, dislocated left knee – SI Wire
"Houston Texans safety Lonnie Ballentine sustained a torn PCL and MCL, and dislocated his left knee in Sunday’s win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, reports the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.Ballentine will miss the remainder of the season.It was previously reported that Ballentine, 22, sustained a ACL tear when he left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter after colliding with Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson. Following the injury, Ballentine was fitted for an air cast and carted off the field by medical personnel.Before being sidelined, Ballentine had recorded three tackles with a pass deflection during the eventual 31–20 win.According to KPRC-TV Sports’ Adam Wexler, the Texans placed Ballentine on injured reserve on Monday, and claimed cornerback Charles James III on waivers to fill the 53-man roster.Ballentine, who played college football at Memphis, was selected by the Texans with the final pick of the 2014 draft."
REPORT: Hard Knocks Star Charles James Claimed By Texans – by Alex Del Barrio, CBS Houston
"Multiple media outlets including Sportsradio 610’s John McClain are reporting that defensive back Charles James III has been claimed off of waivers by the Texans and will return to the organization after spending time on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad during 2015.Lonnie Ballentine, who suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars is expected to be placed on injured reserve on Tuesday meaning he will miss the remainder of the 2015 season.James took to Instagram to let everyone in Houston know he is on his way back to wear Deep Steel Blue and Liberty White."