FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Before Texans kick returner and running back Tyler Ervin tore his patellar tendon last season, the former fourth-round draft pick was off to a good start.
Now, Ervin is off to another encouraging start.
During a 27-20 loss Sunday to the New England Patriots, Ervin had 156 kickoff yards on five returns to average 31.2 yards. That included a 36-yard return. He averaged 10 yards per punt return and caught a 12-yard pass during the third year of a four-year, $2.9 million contract.
It was the highest kickoff return average in a season opener in Texans franchise history.