“The way the practice is, it’s pretty dope. It's very cool to kind of get to know little fans that are from places you'd never think you'd be able to experience to go to. It was awesome. I've enjoyed it for sure.” Deshaun Watson
The Texans and the Packers wrapped up their second joint practice in full pads on Tuesday. J.J. Watt did not participate as a precautionary measure because of a groin issue that limited him during Monday's practice. Cornerback Lonnie Johnson also did not dress out, but is expected to play in Thursday's preseason game in Green Bay.
"I thought we got a little bit better, a little bit more situational work today," Bill O'Brien said Tuesday. "That's what we're asking our guys to do, is to just try to get better every day. We had red area today, two-minute, punt, punt return. We worked a lot of different first-, second-, third-down situations. The young guys got a lot of reps there at the end of the team periods and at the end of practice. So, I thought it was a good day."
DeAndre Hopkins said Keke Coutee was the most improved player on the offense. Deshaun Watson felt the same about the second-year wide receiver.
"I agree Keke has come a long way," Watson said. "He was great last year, but he had the injury, so he couldn't really build the experience that he wanted to. But he's came into this camp and been able to read defenses, do exactly what the offense has been wanting him to do, and he's been a factor for sure. So, he's going to definitely help this team win a lot of games."
Will Fuller V said his nine month rehab from his ACL tear was humbling.
"That's the longest I've been without football in my life," Fuller said. "Just watching the team through their ups and downs, not being able to help them. It was just humbling not being able to play football and really want to. I'm just reminding myself never to take it or granted."
Tight end Kahale Warring caught a touchdown pass in team drills. After the catch, Coutee tried to get the rookie to spike the ball in the endzone. He did not.
The Texans kicked off Day 2 of practice with another bicycle ride with the kids. Bill O'Brien rode a bike with a wheelchair on the front with Raymond, a boy with special needs wearing a Watt jersey.
"He reminded me a lot of my own son," O'Brien said. "It was just very cool. He was in an awesome bike-slash-wheelchair type-deal, and I was worried that I was going to tip it over. Amy (Palcic) wanted me to drive it, and I wanted to do it, but I was like, 'Man, I don't know if this thing is going to' – my balance wasn't great but it worked out all right. It was fun to do that. That was a cool moment for me."
Running back and special teamer Buddy Howell received some gifts from his new buddy, including his favorite box of candy.
Linebacker Benardrick McKinney rang the little bell on his bike, shouting, "Ice cream man" as he rode down the path.
Watt did not practice, but did participate in the bike ride with a group of kids that rode alongside him.
The Texans will face the Packers in their preseason opener on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT) on ABC-13 and SportsRadio 610.
