Texans keep moving on without Andre Johnson

Newly named starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t know Andre Johnson well but is looking forward to finally working with him.

After head coach Bill O’Brien made Fitzpatrick the starter, the veteran quarterback was asked about the absence of seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson.

“He’s a true professional in terms of everything I’ve heard about him, everything I’ve seen from afar and the tape that I’ve watched,” he said about Johnson. “Obviously, you guys (media) know and have seen him play over the years and be very consistent and play at a high level.

“For me, it’s going out there with the guys that are here and trying to perform. It’s kind of different situation right now. I don’t know Andre all that well, but the guys that have been here, I think it has been a pretty productive offseason — just getting to throw to all of the different guys.

“When I first got here, I hadn’t thrown to any of them, so it’s been a really good experience for me in terms of getting to learn a lot of different guys.”

O’Brien has maintained regular contact with the veteran wide receiver, despite Johnson missing all of OTAs and the first day of a mandatory minicamp Tuesday at NRG Stadium.

As a whole, though, the Texans are carrying on without Johnson, who remains at odds with the organization and has no timetable for his return.

“It’s all about the guys that are here,” said O’Brien, who has spoken and exchanged text messages with Johnson during the receiver’s holdout. “The guys that are here seem to be really focused.”


(chron.com)