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 5/7/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
TE, Antony Auclair
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt
DB, Terrence Brooks
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
OL, Cohl Cabral, #72
OL, Marcus Cannon
WR, Randall Cobb, #18
DL, Maliek Collins
WR, Nico Collins
WR, Chris Conley
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82
WR, Keke Coutee, #16
DB, Keion Crossen, #35
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
LB, Tae Davis
DL, Brandon Dunn, #92
LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53
WR, Alex Erickson
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
QB, Ryan Finley
OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77
LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB, Nate Hall, #48
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, Buddy Howell, #38
RB, Mark Ingram
TE, Ryan Izzo
LB, Jordan Jenkins
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32
P, Cameron Johnston
TE, Brevin Jordan
DB, Desmond King
LB, Christian Kirksey
DL, Shaq Lawson
RB, Phillip Lindsay
DL, Roy Lopez
LB, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray
LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59
QB, Davis Mills
DB, Terrance Mitchell
WR, Donte Moncrief
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
WR, Chris Moore
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Hardy Nickerson
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
TE, Paul Quessenberry
DB, John Reid, #34
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers
WR, Andre Roberts
DB, Bradley Roby, #21
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith
OL, Jordan Steckler
OL, Lane Taylor
QB, Tyrod Taylor
DL, Vincent Taylor
LB, Joe Thomas
DB, Tavierre Thomas
OL, Cole Toner
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow
DL, MeMarcus Walker
TE, Kahale Warring, #81
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
