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The Leftovers: Key comebacks, Keke Coutee, and a secret weapon

Drew Dougherty answered a few fan questions submitted via Twitter and Facebook in the video above. He answered some more in the article below.

@Anthonylandsman: Dear Drew, How soon will we see D'Onta Foreman?
DD: Good question, Anthony. I think it will be awhile. He practiced Wednesday with the rest of the team. The Texans have 21 days to decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster or place him on the Reserve/Injured (IR) list. He's not going to play at Washington this weekend. Head coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans need to see what sort of shape Foreman's in over the next three weeks, because his health is of the utmost importance.

Willis Odika: Dear Drew, To what degree can DeAndre Carter help our offensive system? And do you think he will play this Sunday against Washington?
DD: Quite a bit, and yes. Carter was added during the bye week, and O'Brien said Monday that the Texans added him off the waiver wire based on some things they'd seen from him on tape with Philadelphia. The head coach was asked if Carter would return punts, and O'Brien called him "the prime candidate" to do so. The Texans special teams have been solid, so they must think Carter will be an upgrade over the very dependable Tyler Ervin.

@StatKingUpWs: Dear Drew, With the recent wins by the Colts and Titans, do you think the division race will come down to the wire?
DD: Yes I do. The Colts are rolling right now with QB Andrew Luck, and the Titans have put together a pair of impressive wins against Dallas and New England. Houston has to play both squads at NRG Stadium, with the Titans coming to town a week from Monday night.

@faunaticss: Dear Drew, Call me a dreamer (or worse) but I want to know: do you think Coach O'Brien is in some way holding back trying to cover in some way a secret weapon to unleash in the post season (players /schemes/tactics) for they look like a more complete team win by win.
DD: I suppose he could be, but I don't think so. Since the day he was introduced as the head coach back in early 2014, O'Brien's maintained that the Texans will run a game-plan offense based on the weekly matchups. He's also shown a willingness to mix in a trick play here and there. But I don't really think there are any secret weapons lurking right now on a pretty good 6-3 Texans squad.

@kjntxn: Dear Drew, I know the motto/theme this year has been "Find A Way", and most of the veterans and coaches are saying this is the closest group they've coached. Do you see a difference this year?
DD: It certainly is a close-knit bunch, but it's hard to quantify if this year's team is 'more together' than say, the 2011 Houston Texans. Or for that matter, the 2015 Texans. Just about every Texans locker room I've been around since I started working here in 2009 has been a positive one, with solid leadership. The current squad is definitely in the running for that type of tag, but ask me again at the end of the season.

Samer Adams: Dear Drew, It seems like we can't make it through the season without an injury to a key player. Most of the injures happen on our field. Do you think it has to do with the turf or something of that nature? DD: No. Injuries happen across the League, home and road. Compared to last year, the Texans have been healthier as a team. I also disagree with the "most of the injuries happen on our field" idea. If you go by that logic, how do you explain RT Seantrel Henderson (ankle), CB Kevin Johnson (concussion) and DL Christian Covington (thigh) getting hurt at New England? That's three starters lost in Week 1 on the road.

Jonathon Lovil: DEAR DREW ARE WE GOING OLINE AND CB WITH FIRST 2 PICKS IN THE 2019 NFL DRAFT?
DD: ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE JONATHON BUT LET'S TALK DRAFT AT THE END OF THE SEASON. COOL?

@sbisa_pizza: Dear Drew, What do you think Keke Coutee's role in the offence will look like going forward especially with the addition of Demaryius Thomas?
DD: I really don't see his role changing all that much. Coutee, when he plays again, will likely slide right back into the slot. In the four games he's played with Houston, Coutee's caught 21 passes for 196 yards. His presence should certainly help quarterback Deshaun Watson, as well as the rest of the receiving corps. And vice-versa.

@Juan_Bang: Dear Drew, Are The Texans Super Bowl contenders?
DD: Sure, why not? They've got a great quarterback, a lot of weapons on offense, a defense that's really come together, and an improved special teams.

Check out the best Week 9 images from Texans team photographer Zach Tarrant. Presented by Houston Methodist.

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