Why this popular Houston Texans narrative just doesn't make sense

DOESN'T ADD UP

Texans CJ Stroud
What's the plan for Tytus Howard this season? Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images.

Houston Texans OTA's are in full swing, and we can't remember there being this much optimism about the team in years. Which has a lot of national media outlets creating more content about the Texans than ever before.

But one thing to watch out for from these national content creators is how plugged in they really are to the team. When the Texans drafted tackle Blake Fisher in the second round, many believed that was a sign that he would be the starter at right tackle, and Tytus Howard would be moved back to guard.

But anyone that has actually watched Howard play, knows that he's a much better tackle than he is a guard. And it's not even close. The Texans have talked about getting their best five linemen on the field, so we're not ruling out Howard moving back to guard at some point.

At the end of the day, Howard has struggled to stay healthy and Laremy Tunsil missed some games last year too. It's more likely the Texans added Fisher as depth at the position for this season, and he could be Howard's replacement at right tackle in 2025.

Plus, the Texans spent the No. 15 overall on left guard Kenyon Green in 2023. They would love for him to live up to his potential and be their starting guard moving forward. At this point, Howard looks like Plan B or C at left guard should the team need him to play there again in a pinch.

Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's Paul Gallant and Joe George discuss how they see the Texans offensive line taking shape this season.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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