Texans to be without Will Fuller vs. Titans in Week 17: Report
The Houston Texans will be without one of their best receivers in Week 17 when they meet the Tennessee Titans.
When the Tennessee Titans take on the Houston Texans in Week 17 at NRG Stadium with their playoff hopes on the line, the Texans will be without one of their best receivers.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Will Fuller, who left the Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early with a groin injury, is going to sit out next week with the same issue.
#Texans speedy WR Will Fuller’s groin injury will keep him off the field in Week 17 and is likely a three-week injury, sources say following tests. Fuller has an outside chance to play in their first playoff game and will likely be available if they win and advance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019
In Week 15 against the Titans, Fuller totaled five catches for 61 yards.
The oft-injured Fuller is a big part of what the Texans do offensively. He’s one of the best deep threats in the NFL and Houston’s offense just doesn’t operate the same when he isn’t healthy.
Of course, there’s a chance all Texans starters sit in Week 17, as Houston may have nothing to play for.
As it stands now, the Texans have already wrapped up the AFC South and can finish no worse than the No. 4 seed. However, a loss by the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Chargers next week will open the door for the Texans to move up a seed.
In that case, it’s conceivable head coach Bill O’Brien would want to play to win, although he has already said the team will do just that in Week 17.
O’Brien said Texans will play to win against Titans when asked if he’ll rest players even though they have an outside chance at third seed.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) December 21, 2019
The good news for the Titans there is that the Chiefs play at noon CST on Sunday, and the Tennessee-Houston game was moved back to the 3:25 p.m. CST slot, thus the Texans will already know their fate before they take the field with the Titans.
Despite losing their Week 16 game against the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee still controls its own fate in the AFC Wild Card race. If the Titans can beat the Texans in Week 17, they’re automatically in the playoffs.
Next. Titans' winners and losers from Week 16 loss. dark
Should Tennessee lose, things get a bit trickier. In that scenario, Tennessee would need losses by both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts to get in.