ENGLEWOOD — Broncos’ quarterback Case Keenum and Texans’ coach Bill O’Brien reiterated a shared level of respect for one another with reporters this week in the lead-up to their Sunday meeting at Mile High, but a point of contention exists from their brief time shared in Houston.
Get your popcorn ready.
In Keenum’s book — “Playing for more: Trust beyond what you can see” — he addressed the Texans’ decision to sign quarterback Ryan Mallet and cut him. He writes: “Coach O’Brien looked right at me and told me I’d never be more than a third-string quarterback in the NFL.”
O’Brien’s response on a Tuesday teleconference call with Broncos’ media? “I thought about this since I was asked about it yesterday and I’ll just tell you this: I have a great amount of respect for Case as a player and a person. I think he’s a (heckuva) quarterback. As a head football coach in the NFL, there are times decisions are made that are maybe perceived in a certain way. But in all my years of coaching, I’ve never said anything like that to any player.
” I feel bad that whatever he thinks was said, was said. But at the end of the day, I have a ton of respect for him. I think he deserves everything he’s gotten. He came in here in 2014 and won two games for us and I have a great, great amount of respect for Case Keenum.”
Keenum responded Wednesday to O’Brien’s claim he never labeled Keenum a “third-string quarterback” upon his Texans exit.
“I outlined it in my book,” Keenum said. “I think it was chapter 11 if you guys want to go check that out. I said that how I wanted to say it in the book.”
Keenum was given an undrafted rookie tryout for the Texans in 2012 upon graduation from the University of Houston, where he finished as the NCAA’s all-time leading passer (19,217 yards and 155 touchdowns). He made the team’s practice squad. He started 10 NFL games between 2013-14 — compiling 182 completions for 2,195 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 2-8 record. The Texans waived Keenum in August of 2014.
The Texans hired O’Brien the following January and Houston re-signed Keenum from the Rams’ practice squad. Keenum won two games as Houston’s starter before getting traded right back to the Rams a few months later.
In retrospect, Keenum remains thankful for the entirety of his Texans experience, even O’Brien’s alleged slight, because it led him to his spot as the Broncos’ starter. Proof positive, too, that Houston’s head coach was flat wrong.
“I’ve got so much respect for Coach O’Brien,” Keenum said. “I learned so much ball from him. Just how to study defenses, what type of leverages and coverages. Just dissecting defenses. He taught me so much ball. Whatever it was that was said motivated me. Every coach I’ve ever had, they’ve gotten me to where I am now. I’ve got the utmost respect for him and the whole Texans organization.”
Injury report
Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) said he is unlikely to play against the Texans. Marshall was limited to dime package snaps against Kansas City. Receiver DaeSean Hamilton (MCL sprain) said he hopes to return in Week 11 at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Also not participating in the Broncos’ indoor practice Wednesday were running back Royce Freeman (ankle), cornerback Bradley Roby (ankle) and safety Darian Stewart (neck). Roby was injured against the Chiefs.
Right tackle Jared Veldheer (knee) and linebackers Von Miller (knee) and Shane Ray (ankle) were limited. It was Veldheer’s first activity since being injured Oct. 1 against Kansas City.
