Bullough growing confident as starter
Undrafted free agent LB shows great instincts.
HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans inserted Max Bullough into the starting lineup against the Tennessee Titans, he became the fourth different starting inside linebacker to line up next to veteran middle linebacker Brian Cushing.
And the former twotime All-Big Ten Conference selection from Michigan State responded with a career-high seven tackles as he reacted instinctively and tackled well in the Texans’ 20-6 victory over the Titans on Nov. 1.
“I think you always want to do something better, so you watch film, and you see that you did some good things and bad things,” Bullough said. “We had the bye week, and we’re looking forward to playing at Cincinnati. I think it helps my confidence and the coaches’ confidence in me. I’ve had confidence all along in myself.”
Bullough was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad in September. The 6-foot3, 249-pound Traverse City, Mich., native had 299 career tackles at Michigan State with eight sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. He came to Houston as an undrafted free agent in 2014.
“Max has come in, he has great instincts and awareness, goes hard in practice, practices well,” Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel said. “He’s able to go out on the field and is a great communicator, tries to get everyone lined up and help Cush get everyone lined up, and he was able to get in there and make some tackles for us.”
Because of a concussion suffered by rookie second-round pick Benardrick McKinney that has side- lined him since the Texans’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the chronic hamstring problems of former starter Akeem Dent, the Texans have been in flux at inside linebacker.
“We always talk about, not the injury, but how we deal with them as players and then as coaches,” Vrabel said. “As a player, you have to do everything in your power to get back as fast as you can and try to be positive because the injury rate in football is 100 percent. Everybody is bound and determined to get injured. As coaches, we have to get the guys behind each other ready and then figure out which combination of guys work.”
Against the Titans, the combination of Cushing and Bullough was effective for the most part.
Even if McKinney regains his starting spot this week, Bullough figures to have a role on defense in addition to special teams going forward.
“Whatever the coaches ask of me,” Bullough said. “A lot of guys on the team have to do different things. I’m happy to do whatever they ask.”