Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller got off to a rocky start in his second NFL season, breaking his collarbone in training camp before he was even able to play in a preseason game. Nearly two months after the diagnosis of his injury, Fuller is just about ready to get back on the field and help his team with his explosive skill set. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has reported that the Texans are "hopeful" that Fuller will make his season debut against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. With Fuller currently practicing in full for the Texans, it seems likely that he will in fact be active in Week 4.

What to expect from Fuller

A pure speedster in the Ted Ginn mold, Will Fuller is unlikely to contribute with much volume, as fellow Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (21 receptions on 37 targets this season) does. But just because Fuller doesn't show up in the box score does not mean that he isn't making an impact on the game. Fuller possesses elite speed (he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2016 NFL combine) that forces opposing defenses to focus more attention on the deep third of the field, allowing more space for underneath receivers to operate. Fuller's return is great news for Hopkins, tight end Ryan Griffin, and running backs Lamar Miller and D'Onta Foreman, who could have an easier time freeing themselves from looser coverage schemes.

Once again, Fuller's production will likely be inconsistent from week to week, especially with a rookie quarterback, Deshaun Watson, playing behind center. Fuller also has a concerning history of drops that dates back to his college days. But if Watson can show defenses that he is willing to push the ball downfield and hit Fuller when he gets behind the secondary, opponents will be forced to respect Fuller's deep speed.

Watson's deep-ball accuracy was inconsistent during his collegiate career, so it's unclear whether he will be able to take full advantage of Fuller's speed, but the young signal-caller has been impressive over his first two NFL starts and has the arm strength to get the ball deep.

The Texans badly need Fuller in the lineup

DeAndre Hopkins seems to be returning to his pre-Brock Osweiler form with per-game averages of 7.0 receptions, 68.0 yards, and 0.33 touchdowns after averaging 4.9, 59.6, and 0.25 with Osweiler under center a season ago, but the Houston pass-catchers behind Hopkins have done virtually nothing so far this season.

After Hopkins, the team's next leading receiver is backup running back D'Onta Foreman, who has just two catches for 65 yards. Third on the team is lead running back Lamar Miller (64 yards), and fourth is tight end Ryan Griffin (61).

The team's No. 2 wide receiver, as far as snaps played, has been Braxton Miller, who has disappointed with just three catches for 25 yards on eight targets. After Miller is Bruce Ellington, who, with just four catches for 59 yards on nine targets, is shockingly posting career highs in per-game averages.

Currently sitting at 1-2, the Texans need to bolster their 31st-ranked passing game if they want to get to the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Fortunately, Will Fuller doesn't exactly have to be Randy Moss to give a boost to the Texans air attack.

If he can just explode for a big gain here and there while keeping opponents on their toes with his speed, he'll be a huge upgrade over what the Texans are currently working with behind Hopkins.

Fuller's presence will be huge for Deshaun Watson, who, despite impressive play thus far in his young NFL career, has had very little to work with. He has been forced to create a ton of plays on his own, frequently dodging pass-rushers and buying time while his sorry group of pass-catchers tries to get open.

Any weapon would be a welcome addition to the Houston Texans offense right now—and a field-stretcher like Fuller could be especially useful.
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