Sammie Coates is excited to be a Texan.
Excited because of the offense in which he'll play.
Excited because Deshaun Watson is the quarterback.
And excited because he's feeling good physically.
"I'm healthy now," Coates said. "That was big for me coming down here, was being healthy."
The Texans claimed Coates off the waiver wire in March, and it came after a 2017 hampered by shoulder, ankle and knee injuries during the season with Cleveland. But those health troubles are behind him now, and he's optimistic about his future after seeing first-hand how the Houston offense works.
"There's a lot going on it, and it's good for me," Coates said. "It moves you to the spot you need to be. It puts you in a position to play your best."
Coates has 28 career catches for 516 yards, and caught six balls last season for 70 yards. He explained who he is and what he can do here in Houston if given a chance.
"I'm a big guy," Coates said. "I'm fast. I can play special teams. I can give them offense and make plays. I'm versatile. Whatever they need me to do, that's what I bring to this team."
Getting a chance to play with Watson, though, is a huge positive for Coates.
"He's a great quarterback," Coates said. "He's learning the offense way better than he did last year. His communication is a whole lot better. Just watching him out there, and the things he can do once he gets comfortable, it's going to be scary to see him take over."
Coates and the Texans begin OTAs on Monday at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/2/2021)

ILB, Tyrell Adams #50

TE, Jordan Akins, 88

DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

P, Bryan Anger, 9

CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30

C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62

DT, Ross Blacklock #90

ILB, Curtis Bolton #47

DT, Andrew Brown, #97

TE Pharaoh Brown #85

C, Cohl Cabral #72

WR, Randall Cobb #18

ILB, Dylan Cole, 51

CB, Gareon Conley, 22

WR, Brandin Cooks #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter #82

WR, Keke Coutee, 16

CB, Keion Crossen, 35

ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41

DE, Brandon Dunn, 92

OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53

ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7

TE, Darren Fells, 87

G, Hjalte Froholdt #77

OL, Zach Fulton, 73

CB, Phillip Gaines #29

FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44

OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52

ILB, Nate Hall, 48

NT, P.J. Hall #96

WR, Chad Hansen, #17

CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26

T, Charlie Heck #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22

OL, Tytus Howard, 71

RB, Buddy Howell, 38

RB, David Johnson #31

CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32

T, Roderick Johnson #63

LS, Anthony Kukwa #45

LB, Jacob Martin, 54

QB, AJ McCarron #2

LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55

OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59

WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11

S, A.J. Moore, 33

S Eric Murray #23

DE, Charles Omenihu, 94

S, Jonathan Owens, 36

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

G/T Brent Qvale #76

WR, Damion Ratley, #19

CB, John Reid #34

S, Justin Reid, 20

OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57

OL, Max Scharping, 74

S, Michael Thomas #28

TE, Kahale Warring, 81

DL, Carlos Watkins, 91

QB, Deshaun Watson, 4

LS, Jon Weeks #46