Texans vs. Saints: 5 Players to watch in Week 1

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Brennan Scarlett #57 of the Houston Texans reacts after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Brennan Scarlett #57 of the Houston Texans reacts after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a pass reception against cornerback Aaron Colvin #22 and defensive back Andre Hal #29 of the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a pass reception against cornerback Aaron Colvin #22 and defensive back Andre Hal #29 of the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

3. Aaron Colvin, CB, Texans

Watching Aaron Colvin in Week 1 is something that needs to be seen because he does have some pressure on him this season to prove he’s still the player he was while in Jacksonville and not the player who was on the field last season with the Houston Texans.

In ’18 Colvin played in just 10 games, where he totaled 22 tackles (seven assisted) with one pass defensed and two fumble recoveries. Having just one pass defensed as a defensive back isn’t very good, and that must improve in 2019 or it will be another long season for the now six-year NFL cornerback.

Colvin’s best season in the NFL was in ’15 when he totaled 60 tackles, four sacks, seven passes defensed and one forced fumble.

If the Texans can gain that version of Colvin in ’19, as he does what he can to defend the passing attack of Drew Brees and the Saints, that would be what the Texans paid for when they signed him to a four-year, $34 million contract in ’18.

The cornerback will be responsible to help the secondary stop Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr. and Tre’Quan Smith throughout the season opener. That is not easy by any means, but it will have to happen if the Texans want to leave New Orleans with the win.

Schedule