STOOTS ON TEXANS
11 observations you need to know about from Houston Texans training camp
Aug 17, 2022, 1:52 pm
Rookie guard and first round pick, Kenyon Green, returned to practice. Photo via: Cody Stoots.
The Houston Texans had a lighter practice ahead of preseason game two. Here are 11 observations from the workout.
1. Lovie Smith explained the team treated this practice like they would a Friday in a normal NFL game week. There wasn’t nearly as much full-speed work as there have been at previous workouts. It was mostly a simulation of game scenarios with mixed and matched depth.
2. The third preseason game is when you can expect to see the most playing time from players who will start week one for the Texans. There will be quite the layoff between the final preseason game and the season opener, so the team doesn’t have to be as cautious as in previous years.
3. Lovie Smith did say there is a chance the team will play a few more players and play some players longer than the preseason opener. This would include the potential for Derek Stingley to make his preseason debut.
4. Kenyon Green returned to practice. The first-round pick didn’t do a lot of work, but Lovie Smith said he was a full return. Smith said yesterday on Sirius radio, Green had been dealing with a concussion. It was a light day so nothing too exciting to glean from Green’s return.
5. Lovie Smith still feels confident in Green, despite the injury setback. He mentioned the rookie offensive lineman still needs to play, but he’s made good progress. This bodes well for his chances to overtake Max Scharping or Justin McCray for the starting job.
6. Pharaoh Brown has a hamstring injury. The tight end impressed in training camp plenty, but the roster is short on tight end help. I still believe there could be another tight end addition to this roster, especially if Brown’s injury lingers.
7. It would be nice to see Teagan Quitoriano play a lot in the preseason. The rookie was behind starting training camp with an injury and has practiced a little more recently. With his draft pick investment, he has an inside track on a roster spot. A few reps with Davis Mills and Kyle Allen on Friday might do him well.
8. Nico Collins had a nice play in one of the livelier reps. Collins snagged a ball in tight coverage ripping it down for a reception. He is alone in tier two of the pass catchers on the team. Brandin Cooks is alone in tier one. All the other wideouts are tier three.
9. Desmond King is a great depth piece for this team. King has the versatility to play inside and outside. I am not sure how much he plays cornerback unless there is an injury, but he is a factor in the return game as well.
10. Derek Stingley was all over a pass to Brandin Cooks in the red zone. Cooks was owning Stingley early in camp, but I would say the rookie has earned his fair share of wins in recent weeks.
11. The second preseason game brings a few more opportunities for playing time, and hopefully some wideout clarity with Kyle Allen playing. Also, let’s see if Dameon Pierce can impress again.
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Coming off the bye week the Houston Texans received good news as both LB Christian Harris and LG Kenyon Green have been designated to return from injury.
The timing couldn't be better with Harris considering the loss of LB Azeez Al-Shaair, who was suspended for three games for his hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans hasn't announced a return to game action for Harris or Green, the plan is to see how they progress over the course of the week before making any decisions.
When joining the Texans YouTube channel this week, Ryans described Green as a “player that can move people in the run game,” but also acknowledged his issues in pass protection that need to be cleaned up.
While Green was only on the field for three of the whopping 8 sacks on CJ Stroud the last time he started a game, it must be pointed out that he was atrocious that Thursday night against the Jets.
And that was following up a game against the Colts that got him benched for his struggles. If not for Jarrett Patterson suffering a concussion against Indy, Green shouldn't have been on the field versus New York.
That's why Ryans' comments about Green returning are so concerning. “If he's ready to get back out there, I think he can help us,” said the Texans head coach.
To be fair, it's not like the Texans have had much success with Juice Scruggs at guard and Patterson at center. But at least they haven't been a complete disaster in pass protection like they were with Green in the lineup. Green was getting beat quick or missing assignments that led to immediate pressures and big hits on Stroud.
Ground and pound?
There's a narrative out there that Green is the better option when it comes to run blocking. But no matter how you frame it, he was one of the worst, if not the worst, guard in the NFL according to ProFootballFocus before suffering the injury.
Somehow that's supposed to change after returning from a dislocated shoulder? I don't buy it. And considering the Texans' upcoming schedule, they're probably going to struggle with running the ball against the Ravens, Chiefs, and Titans, whether he plays or not.
Those teams are strong against the run, and the Texans would be wise to try to beat them with the passing game, considering the matchup.
Another narrative out there is that GM Nick Caserio wants to give Green every possible opportunity to succeed because he spent a 1st-round pick on Green, and passed up several Pro Bowl players in doing so.
For me, that argument falls a bit flat. Caserio used a 2nd-round pick on Scruggs, so he has a lot invested in both players. However, Scruggs isn't without criticism. He's been an obvious weakness at guard, though he did play much better against the Jaguars last week. It's the Jags, read into that what you will. But Caserio did admit recently that Scruggs is a better center than guard.
Perhaps the plan is to put Scruggs back at center with Green returning. But that could spell trouble as well. The communication issues on the o-line seem to have improved with Patterson at center.
At the end of the day, the number one job for the o-line has to be protecting Stroud, who has been the second-most sacked QB this season (41).
He's taken a sack in every game this year, and has been sacked four or more times in six of thirteen games. Four of those six games featured Green as the starting guard.
Up next
Houston will get their first test after the bye week as they host the 6–7 Dolphins, who still have something to play for. Despite the Texans' up and down season, they can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Miami, and a loss from the Colts.