Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have formed a formidable wide receiver duo, among the best in the NFL.
In just two seasons, Johnson and Hopkins have combined for 3,970 yards with 286 receptions, ranking them second to only Chicago's Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery (4,230 yards).
The second-year wide receiver attributes his success to learning under a seven-time Pro Bowler like Johnson. When asked what he's learned from Johnson, Hopkins referred to his mentor with the same reverence as the day he arrived in Houston.
"Everything and all of the above," Hopkins said. "Everything, man."
Johnson simply laughs when asked the same question.
"What did he say? No, I'm just playing. It's fun," Johnson said, smiling. "Like I said before, just to see him grow as a player, even grow as a person. He's learning and I think that's the biggest thing. Every day he is in here working his butt off. I get to sit back and watch it. It's a lot of fun. We get to spend time together off the field and stuff like that. I treat him like a little brother."
Hopkins doesn't consider his relationship with Johnson as one of equals, though. Coming off a career game on Sunday with 238 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and nine receptions, Hopkins says he still needs years of experience to prove himself the way the veteran receiver has.
Johnson doesn't doubt that it will happen for Hopkins too.
"The talent was always there," Johnson said of Hopkins. "We saw that last year, but it's just the little things that he would ask questions about. I just gave him my honest opinion. He worked on those things and I think he is going to continue to get better and better. I think eventually he will be mentioned as one of the top guys in the league. As long as he keeps doing what he's supposed to do, he will be fine."
Johnson is just eight receptions from reaching 1,000 for his career, becoming just the tenth player in NFL history to do so. If he does so on Sunday at Jacksonville, he will tie Marvin Harrison as the fastest player to reach the milestone, doing so in his 167th game.
Hopkins became the first player in franchise history to have more than 50 receptions and average more than 15.0 yards per reception in back-to-back seasons.
Johnson and Hopkins also have the fourth-most combined yards receiving of any two teammates in the AFC with 1,761 this season. They trail Indianapolis Colts receivers T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne (1,781), Pittsburgh Steelers running back La'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown (1,901) and Broncos receiving duo Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders (2,407).
The (6-6) Texans face (2-10) Jacksonville in Sunday's Week 14 matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on CBS KHOU-11 and SportsRadio 610.
