Houston Texans Roundup: J.J. Watt to be at Daytona 500 and more

Even with the offseason in the early stages, there is still lots to talk about when it comes to the Houston Texans as they prepare for the 2019 season.

The Houston Texans made some headlines on Tuesday morning by releasing veteran wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, as he joined the Texans this past season at the NFL trade deadline. In an ESPN.com report it stated the following of the impending release of Thomas:

"“Thomas, 31, suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in December. He is due a non-guaranteed $14 million salary in 2019.”"

We all basically knew Thomas was a rental player when he was traded for by the Texans after Will Fuller tore his ACL during a Thursday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then on Dec. 23 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thomas suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season, and the Texans offense never really recovered. Thomas was due way too much money for the Texans to keep him as he is still injured.

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In his time with the Texans — which was a total of seven games — Thomas totaled 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas was targeted 33 times by quarterback Deshaun Watson, meaning he caught all but 10 passes that went his way.

Thomas is still a pretty productive wide receiver at 31-years old and with nine years complete in the NFL. He could eventually re-join the Texans when he is completely healed up, or join another club in the league. Whereever Thomas plays in 2019 he’ll be productive and do well when he’s able to return to the football field.

• Gabrielle McMillen via the Sporting News wrote about how Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named as the grand marshall of the 2019 Daytona 500 this Sunday. McMillen quoted Watt on the announcement:

"“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as grand marshal for this year’s ‘Great American Race,’” Watt said in a statement. “The Daytona 500 is a truly iconic event with a rich history, and I am very much looking forward to taking in the action up close and personal this year.”"

It is always fun to see the Texans and their top players be noticed at other big sporting events, and for NASCAR there is no other event more important than their Super Bowl, which is the Daytona 500.

• Sean Pendergast of the Houston Press wrote about how Pro Football Focus named Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as their “NFL’s Best Offensive Player.” The article by Pendergast wrote the following on the top Texans wide receiver:

"“Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the team’s best pure football player … This is something I’ve felt since the very beginning of the 2018 season, it’s something I’ve said numerous times on my afternoon show …”"

If anyone watches Hopkins play the game of football they must realize is is not only the best wide receiver in the entire NFL — but Hopkins is in fact — the Texans’ best overall football player as Pendergast stated. Hopkins only gets better and better each season, and now as he has a solid quarterback in Watson, Hopkins is only to keep showing just how good of a football player he is to the rest of the NFL.

• Tweet of the Day

Here is a look at the first career touchdown of Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee. It is going to be an exciting second season for Coutee. If he’s able to stay healthy in 2019, the rest of the NFL should be on notice as to how good of a player he can and will become.