Rookie Deshaun Watson will take over the starting quarterback spot for the Houston Texans in their Week 2 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider and James Palmer of NFL Network, the Texans opted to start Watson over Savage, making him the ninth quarterback to start under O'Brien since 2014, the most by any NFL team during that time. Palmer reported that Watson took every snap with the first-string offensive line during the walkthrough portion of Tuesday's practice, indicating that he’s in line to start against the Bengals.
The Texans decided to replace Savage as starting signal-caller after he failed to put the team on the board in first half of action against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. The Texans pulled out Savage and started Watson in the second half. The rookie then sparked the Texans’ only touchdown drive of the game in the third period, capping it with a scoring strike to DeAndre Hopkins. In two quarters of work, Watson went 12-for-23 for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Savage, for his part, completed seven of 13 throws for 62 yards and no touchdown for the Texans. On Tuesday, it was reported that Watson suffered an ankle injury against the Jaguars but the Texans upgraded his status to full participant in practice.
Cardinals sign rusher Chris Johnson
The Arizona Cardinals have brought back running back Chris Johnson, with their main rusher David Johnson out for two to three months due to a wrist injury. Chris Johnson was with the Cardinals in the preseason but he was released after Kerwynn Williams won the backup job. The 32-year-old Chris Johnson failed to turn heads in the preseason, tallying just 41 yards on 13 carries with a fumble.
Williams will be the main rusher for the Cardinals with Chris Johnson as backup. The Cardinals could also use Andre Ellington in pass-catching plays while Elijhaa Penny will be utilized in short-yardage situations.
Ravens’ rusher Danny Woodhead out 4-6 weeks
The Baltimore Ravens will play the next four to six weeks without rusher Danny Woodhead, who suffered a hamstring injury.
In their 20-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Woodhead caught three passes for 33 yards before leaving with the hamstring injury. The Ravens signed Woodhead, a known pass-catcher, to complement Terrance West in the backfield. In 2014, Woodhead missed 13 games due to a fractured fibula.
