Houston (CBS HOUSTON) – Besides the obvious battle between Ryan Mallet and Brian Hoyer for the starting quarterback position, another major competition happening at training camp is who will replace Andre Johnson opposite DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver.
Even though Johnson is now with the Colts, catapulting Hopkins, who is entering his third year in the NFL, into the spotlight, his mindset hasn’t changed.
“No, never,” Hopkins said. “I’ve still got the mindset I had since I was a rookie, and that’s to come out here and dominate number one, two, three or four.”
Veterans Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts III, both who were signed as free agents this past offseason, got most of the first-team reps opposite Hopkins during Saturday’s practice, but there is a mix of young players giving the vets a run for their money, especially rookies Jaelen Strong and Keith Mumphery, but with so many new players in the wide receiver group, they all realize how important it is to learn from each other.
“We’re all working together to help each other out,” Hopkins said. “We’re testing each other in the film room and what to do because this is an offense you’re not going to get overnight. Even me being here last year, there’s still questions I have, so we all help each other out.”
Strong, the Texans’ third round pick in 2015, missed most of OTAs with a hamstring injury but was back on the field Saturday.
“I’m making progress,” Strong said. “I feel better but still a lot more work needs to be done.”
The rookie out of Arizona State has worked hard at getting into the best shape he possibly can to help his chances. On July 21, Strong tweeted that he went into rookie camp weighing 231 pounds but that he currently weighed 211. The training camp roster has him listed at 217.
“Pretty much just watched what I ate and thought about what I went through to get here and how much of an opportunity the Texans gave me by picking me,” Strong said. “I just had to sacrifice and do whatever I needed to do.”
