Texans' Lovie Smith gives Phillip Dorsett flak for wearing Devin Hester's college jersey number

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith has coached former Miami Hurricanes, and it is no surprise he is doing so again with receiver Phillip Dorsett.

Dorsett, a former Indianapolis Colts 2015 first-round pick, played college ball at Miami and wore No. 4 during his tenure — the same jersey number as former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester, whose special teams prowess helped the NFC North club reach the Super Bowl at the end of the 2006 season.

Smith can’t help but draw comparisons between the two Miami receivers.

“I talk to Phillip an awful lot about when you’re from the University of Miami, and you wore number 4, I mean, I know one great player that wore it,” Smith told reporters after organized team activities Tuesday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Devin Hester wore that number. So, I’m always giving him a little bit of flak on that.”

Dorsett played for three teams last year — Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston — and caught seven passes for 110 yards. Dorsett’s biggest contribution came with the Texans through three games as he hauled in six passes for 107 yards.

The Texans kept Dorsett around for the 2022 campaign, and Smith likes what he has seen thus far from the former Colts receiver.

“His skill set, one of the fastest guys on our team; has good movement,” said Smith.

What Smith truly appreciates about Dorsett is his ability to create space in the open field for big gains. Dorsett’s most productive years were with the New England Patriots from 2017-19 when he caught 73 passes for 881 yards and eight touchdowns, which is how he stayed on general manager Nick Caserio’s radar.

Said Smith: “He has ability, he can catch the ball and he’ll make you miss in the open field. The only thing that’s stopped some of his growth in the league has been injury. But he’s out there right now, if we can keep him healthy, he’ll help us a lot.”

The Texans’ receiving corps is crowded with Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Conley, Chris Moore, DaeSean Hamilton, and rookie John Metchie already on the roster.