Wes Welker quickly made an impact on the Texans' receiving corps.
Serving as an assistant to receivers coach John Perry, the former All-Pro wideout joined the Houston coaching staff in late January and quickly went to work. On the field helping coach the receivers in May and June through organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, Welker's effect was intensified.
"One of the things that he's been really helpful with me on is like when I present some things with him, drill-wise, drill work, he can give you that perspective of, 'Yeah, that's really realistic' or, 'Maybe we should think about doing this,'" Perry said. "It's been great working with him. I think he's really trying to figure things out and he has done a great job."
It's the first coaching job for Welker, who racked up 9,924 receiving yards in a 12-year NFL career. For the former pass-catcher, the adjustment has been good.
"I always look back at when I was a rookie and coming from the Air Raid offense," Welker said. "Nothing really translated to the NFL. I always try to put myself back in their shoes and back where I was at that time where I really didn't know anything. I think there's some key things that you just kind of try to emphasize and try to stay on top of them."
Welker's dealing with a receivers group that's long on talent but short on experience. DeAndre Hopkins has a pair of 1,000-plus yard seasons in his four-year career, but the rest of the group is fairly green. Hopkins explained why Welker's presence has been helpful.
"Having Wes Welker out here that's a recently removed wide receiver, it helps out a lot to have a guy that knows this offense better than anybody," Hopkins said. "To be here every day working with us, it makes a big difference."
The Texans are on break until the start of training camp at the end of July. Their first practice is July 26 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
Arizona Cardinals' Eno Benjamin (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #50
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #93
TE, O.J. Howard, #83
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
DL, Jaleel Johnson, #90
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbo Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
WR, Amari Rodgers
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
