INDIANAPOLIS -- Texans coach Bill O'Brien staunchly defended star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, not attributing his dip in production to any shortcomings in his game.
Named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2015 when he caught a career-high 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns, Hopkins' numbers declined last season to 78 catches for 954 yards and four scores while dealing with erratic passing from quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Eleven of Osweiler's 19 interceptions, including in the playoffs, occurred throwing in Hopkins' direction.
"How many catches did he have?" O'Brien said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine.