Texans coach Bill O’Brien says they have to figure out keeping QB Deshaun Watson from getting hit
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has taken hits galore through the first three weeks of the regular season.
After the Texans’ 28-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 at Heinz Field, the two-time Pro Bowler has now been sacked 13 times, the most he has ever sustained through the first three weeks of a season.
Coach Bill O’Brien knows his franchise quarterback can’t take that many hits, but he won’t place the blame exclusively on the offensive line.
“We got to protect him better,” O’Brien told reporters after the loss. “Again, like I say, it’s not always the offensive line. Sometimes it’s getting rid of the ball a little bit quicker or tight ends and receivers, running backs understanding the protections and what we’re trying to do.”
Watson completed 19-of-27 for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the loss that sends Houston to 0-3 for the second time in three seasons. Even in that similarly dismal start, Watson took 10 sacks through the first three games, not 13.
“We can’t keep going that way,” O’Brien said. “And you’re right: he’s taken a lot of hits and we got to get better. We work hard on it, we got to keep working hard on it, and we got to figure it out.”
If the Texans don’t figure it out soon, they may start seeing more of A.J. McCarron than just in the QB meetings.
