The Giants know they will have their hands full Sunday trying to deal with Houston defensive end J.J. Watt, perhaps the NFL’s toughest assignment. They also now know they may have to deal with Watt when the Texans are on offense, too.
During last week’s 30-14 victory in Oakland, Watt lined up a few times at tight end, and actually caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick. Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Wednesday that was not a one-shot deal.
“We had some injuries at tight end a couple of weeks ago,’’ O’Brien said, “and you got a guy sitting over there who is 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, he can jump, he was a tight end early in his career in high school and college, so he’s got an idea how to catch the ball. And he can block, so we can use him in different packages at tight end. No, he doesn’t lobby me too much.’’
This is all fine with Watt, who was so unaccustomed to scoring, he immediately handed the ball to the referee. The ball was tracked down, and it sits in his locker.
“Obviously a pretty cool deal,’’ Watt said. “One of those things that you always think about, and defensive linemen definitely dream about it. It was pretty cool. Whatever I can do to help the team win. If the coaches call my number, I will most definitely be ready to go, but you never know.’’
O’Brien knows.
“I could see us using him more and more as we go forward here,’’ he said.
Guard Eric Herman, serving a four-game suspension, was reinstated and is back with the team because of the league’s new drug policy. The Giants have a two-day roster exemption for Herman that expires at 4 p.m. Friday. … The first thing Coughlin mentioned about the Texans is they are plus-five in turnovers, “which is outstanding.’’ The Giants are minus-six in turnovers which, of course, is not outstanding. … Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn (ankle) practiced fully and figures to make his season debut this weekend. Linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) and punter Steve Weatherford (ankle) did not work.