Matt Kalil is the starting left tackle and might be hurt but might not be

Bill O’Brien’s entire exchange on if Matt Kalil is hurt. He is also asked if Kalil will start week one. #Texans pic.twitter.com/kinSbS2dgx

— patrick (@PatDStat) August 20, 2019

Bill O'Brien hates questions about injuries but this one really set him off. His defensiveness about Matt Kalil is interesting. Roderick Johnson has played well recently and arguably better than Kalil the last time Kalil saw the field. If Johnson is better he should play and someone else can backup Johnson and Kalil can be gone. If Kalil is truly better then he should start at left tackle but he hasn't looked solid in weeks.

O'Brien getting defensive leads credence to the thought Kalil is dealing with an injury. If he is injured, Johnson might and maybe even should pass Kalil on depth chart.

Howard's left hand injury

Tytus Howard has a cast on his left hand. It covers his index finger and middle finger on his left hand. It seems he has a broken finger. He likely won't play and might not practice until the week of the Saints game. Depending on how it heals, and how painful it is, he shouldn't miss regular season time.

1-on-1 winners

Roderick Johnson won a solo rep against Whitney Mercilus.

D.J. Reader worked center Nick Martin.

Max Scharping stuffed his defender.

Seantrell Henderson did an admirable job against J.J. Watt but I would say Watt won the rep.

The offense and defense split the 2v2 reps.

Offensive line projection

Starters in bold. Positions I believe they are comfortable playing and have at least seen them have some success at during camp. I projected eight players. They kept eight players last year in a more dire offensive line situation. I don't see why that can't be the case again.

Matt Kalil (LT)

Tytus Howard (LG)

Nick Martin (C)

Zach Fulton (RG,C,LG)

Seantrell Henderson (RT)

Max Scharping (RG)

Roderick Johnson (LT,RT)

Greg Mancz (C)