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Training Camp Day 1: Notes and Quotes

The Texans opened their 2018 training camp under sunny skies at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. While Day 1 was still what Bill O'Brien referred to as "an OTA-type practice," J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson and Jadeveon Clowney were all present for Thursday's practice, as was safety Tyrann Mathieu.

-Deshaun Watson participated in team drills for the first time since his knee injury last year. Deshaun Watson participated in team drills for the first time since his knee injury last year and said he felt "good." Watson said the process isn't done. He also plans to continue to train and rehab throughout camp and the season. 

-Bill O'Brien said that to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, one has to be obsessed with football and Watson fits that criteria.

-"It's kind of just drawing up plays in the dirt, watching film, watching YouTube videos, watching ESPN – all types of stuff," Watson said. "The game is everyday life for me. The people that know me and communicate with me on a daily basis, they understand that regardless of the situation and what we are doing, I'm either talking about football or it's related to football."

-Watson took all the first-team reps, but the other three quarterbacks saw action in drills as well: Brandon Weeden, Joe Webb and Stephen Morris.

-Wide receivers made some big plays, catching passes from all four quarterbacks. Watson connected with Hopkins, who made a tremendous catch down the sideline. Will Fuller V, who looked bigger but still speedy, had a deep catch for a touchdown during drills. Rookie Keke Coutee showed off his speed and hands on several plays.

"Yeah, DeAndre, Will Fuller (V), Keke Coutee, Bruce Ellington had some good plays today, Braxton Miller," O'Brien said. "We've got some good young receivers like Keke but also some undrafted guys we think can – we've got a real battle at that position. Obviously, with Hop out there as one of the best in the league, it's great to have him out there but we feel good about that position with the diversity of the position, the different skillsets and we just need to keep trying to get better every day."

-J.J. Watt, rehabbing during OTAs, is cleared for camp, preseason, etc. He seemed in very good spirits in his post-practice press conference and still takes his sleep very seriously.

"I bring my own pillows," Watt said. "You never know with pillows. It's kind of shady so I always bring my own two pillows. One of my suitcases was just pillows."

-D.J. Reader, now in his third NFL season, said he packed lighter this year, but forgot his khaki shorts. So, he cut the legs off his pants and fashioned a pair to wear around.

-No four-square game for the defensive linemen before practice (perhaps because there were no painted squares on the practice field for them), but the Four Square Network is hoping it's just off to a late start to Season 2.

-RB Tyler Ervin also returned to the field for the first time since his Week 4 knee injury which required season-ending surgery last year.

-Ervin now wears No. 21 for the Texans. Cornerback Dee Virgin has taken up Ervin's previous number, 34.

-The Texans will hold their first padded training camp practice on Saturday.

Take a look at the best photos of Day 1 at #TexansCamp.

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