McClain’s takeaways: Don’t expect any trades for Texans

Texans takeaways Wednesday when they continued preparations for Sunday’s game against Green Bay at NRG Stadium:

On Deshaun Watson and trades

Some found it odd that Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson would tell the media during a Wednesday Zoom conference call that players weren’t going to be traded.

The trade deadline is Nov. 3, and because the Texans are 1-5 going into Sunday’s home game against Green Bay, there’s a lot of speculation among fans and media that defensive end J.J. Watt, among others, could be traded for draft choices.

After practice, interim coach Romeo Crennel gathered his players around him and told them to focus on the Packers and that there are no plans to trade players. According to those familiar with what transpired, Crennel added the goal is still for the Texans to win despite their disappointing start.

After practice, Watt, Watson and receiver Randall Cobb were asked on Zoom calls about the trade speculation. Since Crennel had just talked with them, Watson basically was repeating what his interim coach had told them.

Aaron Rodgers up next

Every defensive coordinator goes into the Green Bay game with a game plan designed to prevent quarterback Aaron Rodgers from moving the Packers’ offense up and down the field and scoring points in what turns out to be a decisive victory.

The Packers are coming off their worst game of the season in their first defeat. They lost 38-10 at Tampa Bay to drop to 4-1. They average 32.4 points a game. Expect Rodgers to rebound with a vengeance against one of the NFL’s worst defenses.

“They’re tremendous because he’s really good,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said in a Zoom conference call on Wednesday. “He does a good job at the line of scrimmage (and) controlling the line of scrimmage, getting guys to jump offsides. He does a good job of recognizing the defense, knowing where he needs to go with the ball.”