PLAYER NOTES
–QB Deshaun Watson continues to have his health improve and even with his current state of injuries, he is expected to start on Thursday night.
–WR Keke Coutee had a hamstring injury against the Jaguars and missed the majority of the game. He has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Dolphins. Coutee said the hamstring injury is not a serious as the one from the preseason.
–RB Tyler Ervin filled in for Keke Coutee after he was lost for the game Sunday with a hamstring injury. With Coutee ruled out, Ervin could be the short-term replacement at the slot position until further notice.
–TE Jordan Akins is being utilized as a H-Back giving him some more work on the field. Akins’ usage was up this week and if they keep him in this role, it could mean more chances down the road.
–TE Ryan Griffin came down with an illness late last week and it caused him to miss the game. His status is up in the air heading into Thursday night.
–ILB Josh Keyes was brought back to the 53-man roster after the Texans waived/injured ILB Tyrell Adams. Keyes had a strong preseason and training camp with the Texans but was cut prior to the start of the season. Keyes spent time with the Washington Redskins but was not active for any games.
–G Zach Fulton could be a game-time decision with his ankle injury but more than likely it will be Greg Mancz filling in at right guard on Thursday for the second week in a row.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Lamar Miller rushed for 100 yards against the Jaguars, which broke a 22-game streak since his last one. The Texans are a much better team when Miller is locked in as a runner and he has looked much more focused the past two weeks. Miller has to continue this hot streak this week to take pressure off quarterback Deshaun Watson.
GAME PLAN: The Texans have to continue to run the football like they did last week in their win against the Jaguars. The Dolphins rush defense gave up 248 yards on the ground with the Detroit Lions averaging 7.1 yards a carry. The Texans had their first 100-yard rusher this season last week against the Jaguars and this a prime matchup for their offense.
As for the Texans defense, they have to make life tough on Brock Osweiler by making him beat their zone looks. Osweiler has always been able to handle man coverages but he has struggled to be patient at times with the football. Forcing the Dolphins to beat them through the air is one of the most important factors on Thursday.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Texans ILB Zach Cunningham vs. Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake. The Dolphins can create big plays out of the backfield and it starts with Drake. Drake can make big plays running or catching the football and the key is for Cunningham to control him when he is in the game. Cunningham is the Texans’ most athletic linebacker and will get the first crack at covering Drake when lined up in the backfield.
–Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard. No matter the situation, Deshaun Watson is going to turn to DeAndre Hopkins when needed. The emergence of Will Fuller V and Keke Coutee have been great, but Hopkins remains their best playmaker on the field and Coutee won’t play Thursday night. Xavien Howard is returning to his hometown and will be tasked for slowing Hopkins but the Texans can take advantage of Hopkins’ ability to create against top-end defensive backs.