The best ability is availability
2020 could be a breakout year for Keke Coutee, here's why
Aug 18, 2020, 3:01 pm
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Keke Coutee's pro-career started with an extraordinary performance for the Houston Texans. In a Week 4 victory over the Colts, the then-rookie receiver set a new league record for the most receptions in a debut with 11 catches for 109 yards. Nearly two years later, Coutee has not come close to matching the on-field production from his first professional game.
A portion of Coutee's lack of productivity stems from operating in a small role within the Texans' crowed receiving core, but injuries may have been the most significant factor. Over the past two seasons, several injuries have limited Coutee to 15 games since his debut inside Lucas Oil Stadium in 2018.
"Keke had to deal with injuries, but when he plays — he has been very productive," Head Coach and General Manager Bill O'Brien said on Tuesday. "He is a guy who has dealt with some hamstring and some ankle [injuries]. I think the big thing for Keke is health."
The 23-year-old prodigy from Texas Tech has an opportunity to increase his role with the Texans this upcoming season. Houston's receiving group could have a plethora of obstacles due to DeAndre Hopkins' departure, and Coutee could help fill in the void — especially as a slot receiver.
Impressed by his development, O'Brien says Coutee has looked great in training camp working with the receiving and special team corps. And with additional assistance coming from Randall Cobb during practice, year three has the potential to be a breakout season for Coutee — if health stays on his side.
"He's a very confident and good player, but the big thing is health — which is the case for a lot of guys," O'Brien said. "Some of their journeys to a consistent career takes a little bit longer than other guys, and some of it is luck. But I think he is on the right track."
In nine games with the Texans last season, Coutee recorded 22 catches for 254 yards, averaging 11.5 yards per catch in 2019.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Marcell Ozuna hit his major league-leading eighth homer and Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
It completes a three-game sweep of the struggling Astros and is Atlanta’s fourth straight victory.
The Braves scored two runs in the eighth inning to tie it at 4-4. Michael Harris II started the 10th as the automatic runner on second and there was one out in the inning when Seth Martinez (1-1) intentionally walked Matt Olson.
Ozuna lined out to right field to send Harris to third base. Arcia then singled on a ground ball to left field to score Harris and put the Braves on top.
Pinch-runner Jake Meyers was on second when Kyle Tucker walked with no outs in the 10th. Meyers moved to third on a fly out by Yainer Diaz but Jeremy Peña grounded into a double play to end it.
A.J. Minter (3-1) got the last two outs of the ninth for the win and Raisel Iglesias earned his fifth save.
Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. added his first homer of the season to help the Braves to the victory. Ozuna also leads the majors with 23 RBIs and he extended his hitting streak to 16 games, which ties his career best and is the longest active streak in the majors.
Yordan Alvarez and Mauricio Dubón both homered for the Astros, who fell to 6-14 and are last in the AL West.
There was one out in the first when Alvarez connected on his homer to the seats in left field to put Houston up 1-0.
Ozuna opened the second with his 432-foot shot to left field, which bounced off the wall and tied the game.
Acuña put the Braves up 2-1 when he sent the first pitch of the fifth inning to straightaway center field.
The Astros tied it on an RBI single by Alex Bregman in the fifth and Kyle Tucker’s RBI double came next to put the Astros up 3-2.
Dubón hit his first home run of the year off Jesse Chavez to start Houston’s sixth and push the lead to 4-2.
Harris singled to start the seventh before a ground-rule double by Austin Riley. Olson reached, and Harris scored on a fielding error by first baseman José Abreu when he couldn’t grab a routine ground ball.
There was one out in the inning when Riley scored on a sacrifice fly by Arcia to tie it at 4-all.
Houston starter J.P. France allowed four hits and two runs in five innings.
Max Fried gave up seven hits and three runs in five innings.
UP NEXT
Braves: Atlanta is off Thursday before opening a series against Texas on Friday night with LHP Chris Sale (1-1, 4.58 ERA) on the mound.
Astros: Houston is also off Thursday before ace Justin Verlander will make his season debut Friday night against Washington. The three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder.