Texans vs. Chiefs: Time for more Keke Coutee with Kenny Stills questionable

The Houston Texans could be without slot wide receiver Kenny Stills for a second straight week, meaning we could see more Keke Coutee.

Imagine if the Houston Texans could have all four of their top wide receivers available against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. If the Texans had DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Keke Coutee and Kenny Stills all available to challenge the defense of Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, that could boost them to a fourth win this season.

Though the Texans scored 50-plus points without the injured Stills last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Having Stills available against the Chiefs could not only help the Texans in a hostile environment, but a win would change the Texans’ perception around the entire NFL, and Stills would make that process easier.

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That said, Stills’ availability is listed as questionable as of Friday because of the hamstring injury he suffered a couple weeks ago, meaning we could be seeing more of Coutee in Week 6.

Stills was limited in practice all week due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4 after making a first down catch against the Carolina Panthers.

This season, Stills has been a welcomed addition to the Texans roster as he was a part of the trade that brought Laremy Tunsil to the team.

CBSSports.com wrote this through RotoWire about Stills, and how it would affect Coutee if he’s not available:

"“If Stills — who was limited at practice Wednesday — is unable to play this weekend, Keke Coutee would once again be in store for added opportunities in the Texans passing offense.”"

With Stills out last week the Texans had over 500 yards receiving, and Stills’ replacement Coutee had his best game of the season with three receptions for 72 yards.

The defense of the Chiefs has allowed 393 yards of total offense per game this season (25th overall) and within those yards Kansas City’s defense is allowing 237.2 passing yards per game, which is 13th in the league.

Kansas City has allowed just seven passing touchdowns this season, and Stills has one receiving touchdown in ’19. The Texans offense is 11th in passing yards per game (252.4 yards per game), and Deshaun Watson has 11 touchdown passes in ’19, so something will have to give between the passing game of Houston and the pass defense of the Chiefs.

If Coutee gains more opportunity in Week 6, he could be the sleeper in this game because he’ll be getting coverage from someone other than the top two cornerbacks from Kansas City. Coutee has a good chance to use his vast speed to race past the safeties and defenders of the Chiefs, and that could mean a great day for the wide receiver.

To get those type of chances, Coutee will not only need his fellow wide receivers to pressure the secondary of KC, but the rushing game will need to set the pace of this game early.

Houston’s running game is big in this scenario, because the defense of the Chiefs will need to respect the play of the offensive line, plus running backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, to help get the wide receivers open.

Again, having Stills would be helpful, but Coutee is a player to watch because he’ll most likely gain more opportunities. Maybe Coutee can have a performance like Fuller had last week when he caught for over 200 yards passing and three touchdowns, if so it will be a great day for the team from Houston.