Keke Coutee had over 100 yards receiving in his debut. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
It was one of the most impressive rookie debuts in Texans history. Fourth-round pick Keke Coutee hauled in 11 catches for 109 yards in his first NFL game action helping the Texans to avoid a massive collapse and steal a win from the Colts.
Coutee was often a favorite for quarterback Deshaun Watson as the slot wideout constantly found himself open. His biggest play came in overtime as he caught a pass and took it 19-yards to break the Texans out of their own territory. On the same drive, Coutee hauled in a 13-yard strike to get the Texans a first down.
Seven times the ball went to Coutee for 10-plus yards. He was also active in pre-snap motion as the Texans showed some creativity in their offense. Coutte also rushed the ball a few times as the team continued to find ways to get the rookie from Texas Tech involved.
Also, 92 of his 109 yards were after the catch as he showcased his catch and run ability he became infamous for in college. He had a couple of drops, one early, but was sure-handed for most of the game. Watson looked for him often targeting him more than than DeAndre Hopkins.
This is a huge development as Coutee looks every bit the slot presence the Texans have never possessed under Bill O'Brien. Watson clearly already trusts him and his ability to shake loose should only improve with experience.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.