Bill O’Brien met with the media following Tuesday’s Texans’ Luncheon and wasn’t optimistic when asked if he was hopeful if Coutee would be ready to go against the Saints.
“For Week 1?, No, I’m not. I’m not hopeful for that,” O’Brien said.
Coutee injured his ankle in the Texans’ first preseason game against Green Bay. Coutee returned to the practice field Monday, but the practice was more of a light jog, light stretch, walk through.
As a rookie in 2018, Coutee missed 10 games due to a lingering hamstring injury, but was productive in the six games he played with 28 receptions and 287 yards. Coutee, after missing nearly a month, came back to play in the Texans’ playoff game against Indianapolis and caught 11 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.
DeAndre Carter is the most likely answer to fill Coutee’s spot. Carter appeared in 7 games last year for the Texans and had 20 receptions for 195 yards.