Houston Texans WR Will Fuller adds another target for shining Deshaun Watson

HOUSTON -- Integral to the promising afternoon enjoyed by rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson on Sunday was the return of the first-rounder the Houston Texans picked the year before they drafted Watson.

Wide receiver Will Fuller, drafted 21st overall in 2016, was one of six receivers targeted by Watson in the Texans' 57-14 win over the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium.

After missing most of training camp and the first three games of the season with a broken collarbone, Fuller made his presence felt beyond his four catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns.

With Fuller back in the fold, the Texans' offense appeared whole and dangerous.

"I said it before earlier this week: Will's going to open up the field," said Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who finished with 10 receptions (on 12 targets) for 107 yards and a touchdown.

"He's a big part of this offense scoring 50-something points the way we did. You can't just key on me. You have to, obviously, watch Will down the field every play because he has the speed that you can't coach."

While Houston extended to leads of 21-0 and 37-14 on the Fuller scores, one connection between Watson and Fuller that didn't manifest itself illustrated the point presented by Hopkins.

The Titans clawed back from their three-touchdown deficit with two touchdown drives in the second quarter, the second of which sliced their deficit to 10 points.

On the ensuring drive, Fuller, renowned for his exceptional speed, torched the Titans' secondary and appeared set to corral a Watson pass in the end zone before Tennessee cornerback Adoree' Jackson grabbed Fuller by the helmet to prevent the touchdown.

Jackson was flagged for pass interference. The ball was placed at the 1-yard line on the ensuing snap and Watson followed with a touchdown run that extended the lead and snuffed the rally.

That play offered a glimpse of the promise and potential of the Watson-Fuller pairing.

"That was our first time playing together," Fuller said. "It's only going to get better, and I'm looking forward to that."

Watson said, "He's been a great factor. Even when he was not playing with us and he was out recovering, he was always around. He never took a day off."