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Texans rookie Teagan Quitoriano hyperextended knee

Texans rookie tight end Teagan Quitoriano avoided any structural damage when he suffered a knee injury and didn’t return Saturday against the Tennessee Titans.

Quitoriano hyperextended his knee and bruised his quadriceps Saturday and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam, according to league sources.

His status is regarded as day-to-day. With two games remaining in the regular season, the 2-12-1 Texans could opt to place Quitoriano on injured reserve for the second time and end his season.

Quitoriano missed the start of the season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

At 6-foot-6, 258 pounds, the fifth-round draft pick from Oregon State is a powerful blocker at the point of attack capable of shoving around defenders and creating pathways for the running game. He’s emerging as a more complete tight end who can be counted on in the passing game, too. Quitoriano has two touchdowns, including one in an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and a leaping score against the Philadelphia Eagles in his first NFL game after being activated from injured reserve. He has four receptions for 30 yards on 10 targets.

ā€œI feel really good about it,ā€ Quitoriano said last week. ā€œI had that setback and missed the start of the season and I just tried to keep my head up, keep working on my craft, keep my head in the game and stay really tight on the playbook. I think I did a pretty good job with that, started knocking the rust off and continue to improve.ā€

When the Texans drafted Quitoriano, they envisioned him as a classic Y tight end who can block and be a threat in the passing game. He has lived up to that advance billing. Quitoriano has become the Texans’ top blocking tight end.

ā€œWe scouted him and brought him in wanting him to be a traditional Y tight end: a guy that can block in-line, block the defensive ends, tackles, all of that,ā€ Texans coach Lovie Smith said. ā€œWith being able to be a factor in the passing game, I think that’s what we’ve gotten. He is going to be an excellent blocker, but I think what we’ve seen from him being a pass catcher has maybe even been a little bit more. You just never know when a rookie comes in exactly what you’re going to get.ā€

Since missing time with the injury, which didn’t require surgery, Quitoriano has played in eight games with five starts.

His chemistry and timing with quarterback Davis Mills keeps trending upward.

ā€œI’m just being more comfortable, understanding coverages and where my spots are,ā€ Quitoriano said. ā€œI think that’s my biggest improvement and just really being comfortable out there. I’m getting trust with them that I’m going to be in the right spot. That’s been big, too.ā€

Selected 170th overall, Quitoriano, caught 40 passes for 512 yards and six touchdowns at Oregon State.

ā€œOnce we drafted him, seeing some of his film from college and seeing what he’s done early on, it’s extremely impressive,ā€ Mills said. ā€œThe more he continues to develop like he has, I’m really excited for his future.ā€

Quitoriano became the fifth player in franchise history to catch a touchdown in his first career game and the first since tight end Brevin Jordan last year. He’s the third player in franchise history to catch a touchdown on his first career reception, joining Derick Armstrong in 2003 and Jaelen Strong in 2015.

ā€œTeagan is really the epitome a guy that takes a lot of pride in playing without the ball,ā€ offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said. ā€œThat’s one of the requirements that we have for our skill players, but we won’t just designate him as a run blocker. He’s also a weapon in the passing game. The more he continues to practice with our quarterbacks, we’re hoping that we’ll be able to feature him in the passing game as well.ā€

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.

Philadelphia Eagles v Houston Texans

Photo: Getty Images


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