As a veteran wide receiver, Cecil Shorts III hopes to add versatility to a revamped receiving corps that includes Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins and rookies Will Fuller and Braxton Miller.
"For me, it's just making sure I know every position at receiver," Shorts said in an interview with Texans TV. "I want to be able to play outside, play inside. The more you can do, the more people can keep you around—the more valuable you are to the team. So for me, just understanding all three roles, all three receivers—even four receivers if I'm out there or if we have four receivers in the game—just understanding the whole concept and the whole offense and I think that will help anybody."
Shorts, now entering his sixth NFL season, understands the challenges in learning a new offense. It's his second year in Bill O'Brien's system and his experience is invaluable to young receivers and a new starting quarterback.
"Cecil is Mr. Consistent," Brock Osweiler said. "You know what you're going to get out of Cecil every single day. He takes a pro approach every single day. He shows up. He knows his plays. He's the same guy every day. He'll make plays in the passing game. He runs great routes. He hits his depths. He'll block in the run game. So Cecil Shorts is a tremendous football player and I'm glad we have him."
The Texans will hold joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara on Friday. The two teams face each other in their first preseason game at Levi's Stadium. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. CT.
Former star WR Randy Moss stopped by #TexansCamp practice on Tuesday.
