Deshaun Watson continues to be "ahead of schedule" as he rehabs his torn right ACL, according to Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien.

O'Brien is hopeful Watson will be able to participate in at least some drills during the Texans' organized team activities.

"He's working hard to get back and I know he's ahead of schedule," O'Brien said. "I'm hoping ... that he can at least maybe participate in 7-on-7 [drills]. Maybe not team drills, but [maybe] he can do 7-on-7s or one-on-ones and things like that. But we'll see."

Watson was originally given a timeline of eight to nine months for his rehab from early November surgery, which would have put him on the field in time for training camp. Watson tore his ACL on a non-contact drill during practice. OTAs begin in mid-April and go until mid-June.

Mike Vrabel has been hired by the Tennessee Titans as head coach.

Vrabel replaces Mike Mularkey.

Vrabel spent the past four seasons coaching the Houston Texans, including the 2017 season as defensive coordinator.

"We want to build a culture around winning, competitiveness and toughness," Vrabel said. "Everything we do is going to be geared towards winning and being physical. We want to prepare our players so they know what to do, which will allow them to play fast and aggressive."

Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson and Vrabel spent seven years together in New England, from 2002-08, when Vrabel was a player and Robinson was working in the Patriots' scouting department. 

The Houston Texans have signed Bill O'Brien and Brian Gaine to five-year contracts.

Gaine was hired to become general manager with Rick Smith on a sabbatical. Gaine was hired away from the Texans last offseason by the Bills.

The Texans hired O'Brien as head coach in 2014.

The Indianapolis Colts have narrowed their field of head coaching candidates to Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels.

The Colts could still add additional candidates at a later date depending on whether they receive a commitment from Vrabel or McDaniels.

McDaniels remains in the playoffs as offensive coordinator of the Patriots.

Vrabel is currently defensive coordinator of the Texans.

The Houston Texans will hire Brian Gaine as their new general manager.

Gaine had been vice president of player personnel with the Buffalo Bills.

Rick Smith is on sabbatical while he attends to his wife with cancer.

The New England Patriots have rejected requests from the Houston Texans to interview director of player personnel Nick Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort for their general manager vacancy.

The Philadelphia Eagles also denied the request of the Texans to interview vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas.

Under the NFL's loosened rules for hiring executives from other teams, Caserio and Ossenfort still might be able to interview for the Texans' GM job after the Patriots' season ends.

The Texans are now focused on Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst and Bills vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine.

The NFL has five teams ranking in the top-10 in DVOA on both Offense and Defense at the end of the regular season in the Vikings, Rams, Saints, Steelers and Eagles.

The Chiefs, Cowboys, Chargers, Falcons and Patriots also rank in the top-10 on offense, while the Jaguars, Broncos, Panthers, Ravens and Cardinals rank in the top-10 on defense.