Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans know Deshaun Watson is the quarterback they need to lead them next year and beyond. First on the list of priorities for the Texans is to hire a coach and general manager. That’s pretty obvious.”DECISIONS ON OFFENSEWhile the Texans are set with Watson, they have plenty of other decisions to make on offense. Star receiver Will Fuller is a free agent and Watson has been vocal about his desire for the Texans to re-sign him.

The NBA painted “Black Lives Matter” on the courts inside their Orlando, Florida, “bubble" and social justice messages were emblazoned on the backs of jerseys. Paul met with NBA players, and they decided awareness wasn’t enough anymore. “Black Lives Matter” also was featured prominently on the league’s courts. Wallace, the only full-time Black driver at the NASCAR national level, first began speaking out against racial injustice in America in the spring. His car featured a “Black Lives Matter” paint scheme.

The Minnesota Vikings have reason for optimism after holding off a late rally by the now-despondent Houston Texans on Sunday. Alexander Mattison added a rushing touchdown and Cousins threw for 260 yards and a TD for the Vikings. The Vikings missed a 55-yard field goal attempt on their next possession before Watson and Fuller hooked up again. Fuller made a 43-yard reception to get the Texans to the 8-yard line, but Houston settled for a 25-yard field goal to get within 17-16. Minnesota added a 31-yard field goal to make it 10-0 and a field goal by Houston midway through the second quarter cut the lead to a touchdown.

HOUSTON – Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has been fired by the organization after more than six seasons with the franchise. The Texans fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2008, losing 31-23 to the previously winless Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. O’Brien was 52-48 overall as the Texans head coach. He is the first NFL head coach to be fired this season. Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season.

HOUSTON Kenny Stills is glad NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regrets the way he initially reacted when Colin Kaepernick and a handful of other players began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality years ago. He can say whatever he wants to say now, Stills said Monday. Were reactive instead of proactive when it comes a lot of issues in our country and within the league as well," he said. So, yeah, I went there to bring more attention to this case and were hoping that something can happen soon. I saw that video this morning around 5:00 a.m. and I didnt know if I was going to come to work today, Stills said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro made clear he won't let the fight against racial injustice recede from the conversation even as Tennessee returned to practice Friday. I know for me, the next step is just taking action, getting in the communities, being a shining light and an example, Vaccaro said. Not just a black square that everybody in the world posted on Instagram and thought that meant something. Asked if sitting out a regular-season game has been discussed, Vaccaro said the Titans haven't planned that far ahead. Vaccaro also has talked with safety Kevin Byard about how children look up to athletes as heroes with few Martin Luther King Jrs.

HOUSTON With DeAndre Hopkins dealt to Arizona during the offseason, Deshaun Watson is the undisputed star of the Texans offense. But rather than seeing that responsibility as a burden, the 24-year-old Watson sees it as an opportunity. Many have questioned how Houstons offense will run without Hopkins, who piled up 4,115 yards receiving in Watsons first three seasons. Last season, Watson was asked what his favorite play was, and he answered without hesitation. The Texans know that no one player can replace Hopkins and theyll instead rely on a bevy of receivers, including Will Fuller and Kenny Stills, to pick up the slack.

Cameron said he still has no timeline for when his office will conclude its investigation of the case.About two dozen protestors were arrested. (Mary Ann Gerth/Courier Journal via AP)LOUISVILLE, Ky. A prosecutor announced Friday that he is dropping a felony charge against dozens of protesters who gathered at the Kentucky Attorney General's home to demand justice in Breonna Taylor's death. Many protests in recent weeks have pushed for Cameron to move swiftly to charge three officers in Taylor's killing. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville apartment using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant to search her home was in connection with a suspect who did not live there and no drugs were found.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills was arrested in Louisville late Tuesday night after he participated in a protest over the death of Breonna Taylor. Stills was among 87 people who were taken into custody after they marched to the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, a police spokesperson said all the protesters, including Stills, were given the chance to leave Camerons home before being arrested. He participated in a march for Taylor in June at the Kentucky state capitol and attended George Floyds funeral in Houston. The Texans wide receiver is entering his second season in Houston after he was traded from Miami.

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)When Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to take a stand against police brutality and racial injustice in 2016, he was mostly alone. Global opinion has shifted so much that more people are now vilifying those who attack Kaepernick or misrepresent his stance. I have had many people attempt to discourage our support of Colin, which is unthinkable to me. He is encouraged because more folks support Kaepernicks movement but realizes theres a long way to go.