Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson got 42 snaps on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
In those snaps, he was targeted by quarterback CJ Stroud one time.
He made the most of it.
The former Iowa State star receiver, currently in his second season with the Texans after being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, was lined up in the slot as his squad faced a critical third-and-10.
He was across from All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, 2:41 remained on the clock and his 5-1 Texans were at the 23-yard line, trailing 21-19.
As Stroud was immediately flushed out of the pocket to his right, Hutchinson adjusted his route, mirrored Stroud’s steps and made a diving catch one yard beyond the first-down marker.
He got up, brushed himself off and signaled first down. It was, to be sure, the biggest play of the game for the Texans up to that point.
And though it didn’t ultimately lead to a Houston win (after the Texans kicked a field goal to take the lead, the Packers would kick a game-winning field goal as time expired ), it certainly did something for Hutchinson’s cred in the locker room and beyond.
“That was huge for me,” Hutchinson said. “Just to have that trust from 7 (Stroud) in a crucial part of the game, and to help out the team in doing whatever I can to win a game. Sometimes that’s going to be catching it, sometimes blocking, sometimes special teams. Today I had the fortune to have a chance, and I was able to capitalize on it.”
Hutchinson has four catches for 45 yards in Houston’s seven games, and he’s seen his playing time increase following the injury to Texans top receive Nico Collins.
Hutchingson said the play in question was a result of his work on the practice field.
“We work on the scramble drill every Wednesday,” Hutchinson said. “At that point, I was just trying to find the green area and be on the same page as CJ was. He placed the ball perfectly, where the defender couldn’t get it and I could.”
Collins, one of the league’s top receivers before going down with a hamstring injury in week five, will miss at least a few more weeks after being placed on the injured reserve list. Hutchinson knows this could be his time to shine.
“It’s important in the sense that he’s one of the guys that’s ahead of me in the rotation,” Hutchinson said. “I wish he wasn’t injured, but it’s definitely an opportunity for me to step in and help this team out any way I can.”
While he’s busy fighting for snaps, targets, even a roster spot, Hutchinson isn’t so overwhelmed that he can’t appreciate the experience of being a professional football player.
“My mom is actually from Monroe, Wisconsin,” Hutchinson said. “So I knew all about Lambeau Field. I was super excited about playing here. She wasn’t able to make it up, but I had plenty of family on my mom’s side that were able to come up. It was super nice. The stadium and the atmosphere were incredible. Anytime you get the chance to play in a legendary stadium like this, you’ve got to take the opportunity to soak it in.”
It takes just a brief mention of Iowa State to bring a large smile to Hutchinson’s face.
“I was in the hotel room Saturday night watching the game and I was freaking out,” Hutchinson said. “Now I see what it means when people say the Cyclones can take years off your life. I was stressing hard, pulling my hair out. But they got it done.
“That was a game they probably needed. They needed one of those close games where you don’t necessarily play perfect ball but you pull out anyway.”
Hutchinson said he’s got plenty of pride in his alma mater’s 7-0 start to the 2024 season.
“They deserve it,” Hutchinson said. “I was lucky enough to be what I believe was a key piece of that program. Just to see Iowa State doing so well, to see coach Campbell, to see some of the players that I played with, it’s amazing. I keep rooting them on. I still don’t like the close games, but if it means a win, then all the stress is worth it.”
Hutchinson’s Texans will look to get back on the winning track Sunday when they host Indianapolis.
