Texans WR Will Fuller a potential game-time decision

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch during a drill at training camp at the Methodist Training Center on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Houston. Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch during a drill at training camp at the Methodist Training Center on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Houston. Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Texans WR Will Fuller a potential game-time decision 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Texans coach Bill O'Brien was noncommittal on the status of starting wide receiver Will Fuller heading into the season-opener Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Fuller has been limited all week with a strained hamstring he sustained during the preseason. and is listed as questionable on the injury report.

That sets the stage for a potential game-time decision to determine if or how much the speedy former Notre Dame star will play. Fuller was limited to 28 receptions for 423 yards and seven scores last season as he was held to 10 games due to a broken collarbone and a knee injury.

"We'll see," O'Brien said. "We'll see how the next couple days go."

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If Fuller can't go or is limited, the Texans will lean heavily on Bruce Ellington as well as rookie Vyncint Smith opposite All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

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An undrafted free agent from Division II Limestone College, Smith has run the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds. He caught a game-winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason.

“I don’t know about his role," O'Brien said. "It’s still to be determined, but he’s a really good young player. He earned the right to be on the team. Smart guy, he has good speed.

"Look, he’s a guy that’s coming from Limestone College to here and he’s really done a good job relatively speaking to being a rookie. He’s got to keep doing it every day. He knows that, but we’ll see how his role shapes up as we move forward.”