HOUSTON -- DeAndre Hopkins knows how tough and competitive his quarterback can be. But when he sees Deshaun Watson take hit after hit when he's running the ball, he has just one message for him.

"[I'm] in the huddle telling him to get down," Hopkins said. "I need [Watson]. That's what I tell him, honestly. Don't take those hits unless you -- have to.

"But he's a warrior. He wants to get in the end zone every time the ball is in his hands."

Watson ran the ball 10 times for 40 yards in the Houston Texans' 19-16 overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, often attempting to get every extra yard he could instead of sliding to protect himself.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Watson was hit four times outside of the pocket against the Cowboys, and those are often the most physical shots he absorbs. He also took four hits on the run in Week 4 against the Colts. Along with the hits while on the run, Watson has been hit a startling 55 times in five games and has been sacked 18 times this season.

Watson said he tries "to do what's best for the team," while running the ball or when he's trying to extend a play, but when he gets an opportunity to score, he's going to do "whatever it takes" get in the end zone.

"I know sometimes what's best for the team is protecting myself, but when we are down there at the goal line and I'm trying to get in the end zone, that's my mentality," Watson said. "Regardless of what I have to do, if it's three dudes like it was tonight multiple times, I'm going to try to fight my ass off to get in the end zone.

"I'm built to take those hits. I'm going to give all my will and all my guts to try to get the ball in the end zone."

Watson was slow to get up after the Texans' final drive in regulation and was checked out by the training staff on the bench during the Cowboys' drive in overtime. But when Houston's offense ran back onto the field with the chance to win the game in the extra period, Watson was back on the field with his teammates.

"I was fine," Watson said. "I was going to finish the game regardless."

Though it might be hard to change Watson's mindset while he's on the run -- and the Texans don't necessarily want to rid their young quarterback of one of the skills that has led to his success -- coach Bill O'Brien said it's something he and the coaching staff think about.

"We've got to do a better job of making sure that he doesn't take as many [hits]," O'Brien said. "At the same time, it's a fine line because that's part of his game. That's the way he plays the game. He enjoys that part of the game, to be honest with you.

"I think it's something that we continue to coach and, obviously, it's something we don't want an abundance of him getting hit, but sometimes it does happen."