3. The potential return of Keke Coutee
If the Houston Texans are capable of having rookie Keke Coutee — who has battled hamstring issues all season — on their side for the first time since Nov. 26 in a game against the Tennessee Titans, it will make a difference for the team.
In his time on the field this season thus far, Coutee in his rookie season has 26 receptions in six games for 287 yards and one touchdown. Coutee also has one game of 100-plus yards receiving, with that coming on Sept. 30 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Against the Colts — in what was a 37-34 overtime win in September — Coutee totaled 11 receptions for 109 yards, averaging 9.9 yards per reception in that game. His game-high reception in that meeting was 19 yards. In just six games played, Coutee has been targeted 41 times.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported on Coutee’s status for Saturday as Coutee continues to recover from his hamstring injury:
"“Texans coach Bill O’Brien characterized Coutee as a game-time decision, but the fact that the fourth-round draft pick from Texas Tech has been a full participant in practice is a positive indicator …”"
Though it isn’t a guarantee, if the Texans are able to add Coutee to the on-field, active lineup on Saturday against the Colts, it would be a huge reason the Texans could gain a win in the Wild Card round. Coutee is sorely needed in this game for the Texans to improve their chances of success, especially with the Texans not having Will Fuller and Demaryius Thomas injured at wide receiver.
If Houston has Coutee on the field against the Colts, not only will he make Deshaun Watson better and take some coverage off DeAndre Hopkins, but he’s going to put added pressure on the defensive backfield of the Colts, Saturday.