Texans, Jaguars leaning on young, talented receivers amid more offensive struggles

“I think over the last two games he’s gone in there with a really good attitude, with a calmness about him, with really good mechanics”. The Texans have already given up six touchdown runs this year. Defensively, the Jags will have to face off against a very hard challenge in DeAndre Hopkins.

The Jaguars are 1-4 but could just as easily be 4-1. He threw only 11 touchdowns with 17 interceptions but did manage to run for 419 rushing yards (third-best rushing total for all QBs last season). Following a television report that Foster was not properly evaluated on the sideline before returning to the game, Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Wednesday, “That doesn’t happen”. Those are pretty good traits to have when you play those positions.

Bortles, though, comes into this one looking to continue to establish a growing connection with two of his fellow second-year teammates.

Hurns has been the most surprising of the three since he was an undrafted free agent in 2014. Robinson was drafted 61st overall in 2014.

“I’ve been extremely pleased with him and his development”, Olson said.

There have been numerous positives and chances for the Jaguars, but now it’s time to fully take advantage of them.

Former Jaguars/current Houston Texans receiver Cecil Shorts said Sunday’s game will represent both of those emotions.

“I had a few good years in Jacksonville, so it will be fun to go back there and play against them guys”, said Shorts, who has 22 receptions for 236 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Houston Texans are strongest up front in their pass rush, where JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney have been after quarterbacks. Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks, who has been nursing a knee injury, hopes to make his season debut after participating in practice Wednesday.

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars are in a familiar situation in terms of their record, there is a sense of optimism around the franchise.

“They checked him again, which would be normal protocol for anybody that was injured no matter what the injury was, and they determined that he was able to go out and play”, O’Brien said, adding that Foster has been at practice all week. Bradley said the following day Bortles likely wouldn’t practice Wednesday. Two days later, he changed his mind. “I don’t want to take away from the positive things that we’re seeing. It’s just about getting out there and trusting it and trusting your rehab process”.

LOPSIDED SERIES: The Texans have won seven of the last nine in the series, including three of the last four in Jacksonville. The second-year pro out of Central Florida had a rocky rookie season last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars but is now showing signs this season that he may be taking a giant leap forward as a professional quarterback.