NFL: Houston Texans will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

And: First-time NFL head coach Bill O’Brien, known for his prowess with quarterbacks, can teach his current group of signal-callers a little something called ball control.

In 2013, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, Case Keenum and T.J. Yates combined to throw 19 touchdowns passes but also served up 22 interceptions, five of those returned for scores. But this offseason, Schaub was dealt to the Oakland Raiders and Yates was recently traded to the Atlanta Falcons. Enter veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who in his latest stop around the league threw for 14 scores but totaled just as many turnovers with the Tennessee Titans in 2013. May’s draft also brings rookie Tom Savage, a fourth-round draft choice from the University of Pittsburgh.

The return of running back Arian Foster, who missed eight games this past season, helps everyone. But will any of O’Brien’s quarterbacks get a chance to throw to disgruntled wide receiver Andre Johnson this season? The 11-year pro and the 14th-leading receiver in NFL history with 927 catches was a no-show at the team’s recent OTAs and minicamp.

That is not the kind of news you are looking for when you are trying to groom a new starting quarterback. Second-year wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who totaled 52 receptions for 802 yards and a pair of scores during his rookie campaign, already figured to be busier in 2014. We will find out just how busy this fall.