16 Keke Coutee WR

Coutee and Randall Cobb are the main candidates for slot snaps in Houston this season, John McClain of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Coutee got some perimeter work late last season when Houston's wide receiver group was decimated by injuries, but he's otherwise been a slot specialist throughout his pro career, much like the 30-year-old Cobb. It is possible one of the two could get more playing time on the outside this year, considering Chris Conley and rookie third-round pick Nico Collins look like the best bets for the starting job across from Brandin Cooks. In terms of the slot role, Coutee won't have it easy trying to dispatch Cobb, whose $8.25 million base salary is fully guaranteed. On the other hand, Coutee did have 362 receiving yards over the final five weeks of 2020, and he's only 24 years old as he enters the last season of his rookie contract.

Coutee caught six of seven targets for 90 yards in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Titans.

Coutee was on the receiving end of two long plays: a 42-yard catch in the first quarter and a 29-yard reception in the final minute of the game that set up Houston's final score. The 23-year-old wide receiver resuscitated a moribund career during the second half of the season when injuries and personnel decisions opened up an opportunity for him. Over the final seven games, Coutee caught 31 of 38 targets for 389 yards (12.5 YPC) with three touchdowns. There was still an issue with fumbles, but his contributions were one of the few positives the Texans experienced in 2020. The 2018 fourth-round draft pick has one year left on his contract, and he gave the eventual new regime -- hiring a new head coach and general manager is the first order of business for Houston during the offseason -- something to consider as it constructs the 2021 version of the Texans.

Coutee (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans.

After following up limited practices Wednesday and Thursday with a full workout Friday, Coutee looks to be in the clear to handle his usual starting role in the season finale. Interim head coach Romeo Crennel hasn't suggested that any of the team's healthy players will be rested as the 4-11 Texans close out their season, so look for Coutee to remain a key part of the passing attack. Over his last four outings, Coutee has played no fewer than 63 percent of the Texans' offensive snaps, turning in a 21-272-2 line on 24 targets during that span.

Coutee (foot) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Houston conducted a walk-through session, but Coutee would have had his reps capped if the team held a traditional practice. The slot receiver was also limited by a foot injury last Wednesday, but he returned to full practice participation by Thursday. If Coutee follows a similar pattern this week, he should shed his injury designation ahead of Sunday's season finale versus the Titans.

Coutee brought in all five targets for 54 yards in the Texans' 37-31 loss to the Bengals on Sunday. He also committed a fumble, but it was recovered by the offense.

Coutee checked in second in receptions, receiving yards and targets to Brandin Cooks, serving as a dependable complementary option for Deshaun Watson in the high-scoring loss. The third-year speedster has been solid since Randall Cobb (IR-toe) and Will Fuller (suspension) were sidelined, posting a 21-272-2 line over his last four contests. Coutee will look to finish off the campaign in strong fashion at the expense of the Titans in a Week 17 divisional battle.

Coutee (foot) returned to a full practice Thursday.

Coutee was limited Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday paves the way for him to be out there Sunday against the 3-10-1 Bengals. With the Texans' wide receiver corps having thinned out as the season has progressed, Coutee's settled into a steady enough role to merit fantasy lineup consideration over the past five weeks. In that span, he's caught 20 of 26 targets for 245 yards to go along with three TDs.

Coutee was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a foot injury.

The Texans may simply be taking a cautious approach to Coutee's health, given the team's overall lack of depth at wide receiver. Coutee once again handled a major role in last weekend's loss to the Colts, playing 80 percent of the offensive snaps and churning out five receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, though he committed a costly fumble near the goal line. Interim head coach Romeo Crennel has made it clear that despite the mistake, Coutee -- if healthy -- will remain a key component of the offense Week 16 versus the Bengals.

Coutee will be back on the field Week 16 against the Bengals after his fumble cost the Texans a chance to upset the Colts last week, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. "Well, he has to shake it off and move forward because he has to play next week," Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel said.

Unlike earlier in the season when Coutee's fumble against the Ravens was returned for a touchdown -- a mistake that resulted in a benching for several weeks under former head coach Bill O'Brien -- the third-year wideout will be back on the field Sunday. Coutee has been a regular member of the wideout rotation the last five weeks due to injuries and personnel decisions, catching 20 of 26 targets for 245 yards (12.3 YPC, 49.0 YPG) with three touchdowns. Houston's Week 16 opponent, the Bengals, rank 14th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.

Coutee recorded five receptions on seven targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 against the Colts.

Coutee saw the majority of his volume in the first half, when he hauled in three receptions for 31 yards. Even so, he played a key role in the Texans' comeback effort by recording a nine-yard touchdown that knotted the game 20-20 midway through the fourth quarter. Coutee appeared poised to re-tie the game on the Texans' following drive, but he was stripped of the ball at the two-yard line, and the Colts' victory was sealed. Despite the error, Coutee should continue to get plenty of looks in Week 16 against Cincinnati, though ball security has been a recurring problem for him throughout his career.

Coutee (knee) brought in all three targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 36-7 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

With Brandin Cooks' (foot/neck) absence leading to Deshaun Watson being without his top three receivers from the beginning of the season -- Will Fuller (suspension) and Randall Cobb (IR, toe) were also unavailable -- the opportunity for a significant workload appeared to be there for Coutee. However, that ultimately failed to materialize, with Coutee checking in behind all of Jordan Akins, Steven Mitchell and Chad Hansen in targets. Coutee's five-yard touchdown grab midway through the second quarter did salvage the day for fantasy managers counting on him in their postseason contests, but they'll hope for much better all-around production from the third-year wideout in a Week 15 divisional matchup versus the Colts.

Coutee (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bears.

The Texans' already-depleted wide receiver corps will also be without Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) on Sunday, so as long as Coutee avoids any-in-game setbacks, he figures to be a focal part of the team's Week 14 passing attack, with Chad Hansen also in line to see expanded opportunities.

Coutee (knee), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday at Chicago, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 23-year-old received the questionable tag despite putting in full practice sessions Thursday and Friday, so it's no surprise he's likely to suit up versus the Bears. Coutee erupted with eight catches for 141 yards last week and should continue to see a significant snap share given the recent thinning of Houston's receiving corps. Fellow wideout Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) is also expected to play despite being labeled questionable.

Coutee (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

As is fellow wideout Brandin Cooks (foot/neck), who was limited at practice this week. However, given that Coutee was listed as a full practice participant both Thursday and Friday after logging a limited session Wednesday, we suspect that he should be a go for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. With the Texans' receiving corps having thinned out of late, Coutee, who caught eight of his nine targets for 141 yards in a Week 13 loss to the Colts, should continue to be busy this weekend, assuming he suits up.

Coutee (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

Fellow wideout Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) remained limited Thursday, but Coutee's full practice paves the way for him to suit up Sunday against the Bears. With the depth of Houston's receiving corps taxed by the suspension of Will Fuller, the release of Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb (toe) remaining on IR, Coutee, who caught eight of his nine targets for 141 yards in a Week 13 loss to the Colts, should continue to be a key cog in the Texans' passing attack this weekend.

Coutee was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a knee issue.

Top wideout Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) was also limited in the Texans' first practice of Week 14. The team's receiving corps has already been depleted by the suspension of Will Fuller, the recent release of Kenny Stills and the ongoing residence of Randall Cobb (toe) on injured reserve, making the health of Cooks and Coutee of great importance heading into Sunday's game against the Bears. While stepping into a starting role in the Week 13 loss to the Colts, Coutee set season highs across the board, catching eight of nine targets for 141 yards. So long as the knee issue doesn't affect his availability against the Bears, Coutee should once again remain busy in the passing game.

Coutee caught eight of nine targets for 141 yards during Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Colts.

Coutee led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards as he notched a new career high in the latter. He started the game strong with an early 64-yard reception and consistently connected with Deshaun Watson en route to an excellent final stat line. Coutee has produced in the past with Will Fuller (suspension) out and seems poised to do so again this time around, with his next chance coming Sunday against the Bears.

Coutee should work as Houston's No. 2 wide receiver following the PED suspension for Will Fuller, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 23-year-old has played about half of the Texans' offensive snaps over the past two weeks with the injury to Randall Cobb (toe) and the release of Kenny Stills, and he's now primed for an even larger snap share with Fuller suspended for the rest of the season. Coutee has only four catches for 27 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks, but now he should only be behind Brandin Cooks on the depth chart at wide receiver. Cobb must be on injured reserve for at least the next two games, so Coutee should see plenty of snaps in those contests, barring an outside addition by Houston.

Coutee caught two of three targets for 17 yards and caught a two-point conversion in Thursday's 41-25 win over the Lions.

Coutee has emerged from the Texans' doghouse in the wake of Randall Cobb's toe injury, which landed him on injured reserve. Cobb will miss at least two more games, giving Coutee relevance heading into Week 13 against the Colts. He also lined up as a returner, handling a fair catch in his only punt-return opportunity and 10 yards on one kickoff return.

Coutee could factor heavily into the Houston passing game Thursday against the Lions with fellow wideouts Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills (quadriceps) sidelined, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports.

The 23-year-old saw his first action since Week 2 during Sunday's win over the Patriots, catching two of four targets for 10 yards and a touchdown, with three of those targets coming in the red zone. Houston should continue to rely on Deshaun Watson and the aerial attack as the run game struggles in the absence of David Johnson (concussion). Coutee looks primed to see significant snaps in the slot, with Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks working on the outside against a subpar Detroit defense.

With Randall Cobb (toe) ruled out of Thursday's game against Detroit, Coutee could take over as the slot receiver Week 12, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Coutee filled in for Cobb, who left Sunday's win over the Patriots after just five snaps. The initial opinion is that it's a season-ending injury, but Cobb is seeking a second opinion. If the initial prognosis stands, Coutee could be the primary slot receiver going forward. He hadn't played since losing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in Week 2, but Coutee impressed against the Patriots. He was targeted three times in the red zone and scored his first touchdown of the season, Coutee's first score since a playoff game during his rookie 2018 season.