Coutee (ankle) participated in Monday's practice session, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Coutee's status for the season opener against New Orleans remains up in the air, with coach Bill O'Brien sounding pessimistic last week even after the slot receiver returned to practice. O'Brien used the phrase "not hopeful" and later said he was "not sure" if Coutee would suit up. The one thing for sure is that Coutee's sprained ankle, suffered during the preseason opener against Green Bay, has improved enough to allow for some degree of practice participation. It remains to be seen if he has a regular role on offense after the Texans acquired wide receiver Kenny Stills (leg) from the Dolphins. Stills has ample experience working both outside and from the slot.