HOUSTON – The Texans’ offensive line will be in the same configuration that they finished the game a week ago in a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Veteran blocker George Fant is starting at right tackle in an AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at NRG Stadium, per league sources.
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Fant (6-foot-5, 322 pounds) replaces Charlie Heck, who has started four of six games played since being activated from the reserve-physically unable to perform list at right tackle in the fourth quarter against the Colts.
Fant, 31, has started 13 of 16 games played, and dealt with a hip injury in December.
Heck had a back injury that caused sciatica in his foot earlier this season.
Both players aren’t on the injury report this week.
Fant, signed to a one-year, $4 million contract at the start of training camp, has started 73 of 99 career games.
The Browns are led by star defensive end Myles Garrett, one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
The Browns may move Garrett away from Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to try to create pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud. Tunsil has allowed one pressure in 40 matchups against Garrett since 2018, according to NextGen Stats, a 2.5 percent pressure rate that represents the former top overall pick and Texas A&M consensus All-American’s lowest rate during that span.
“So with our offensive line and what they’ve done the entire year shuffling a lot of guys in and out, it all starts with the protection, and Laremy has been a guy who has helped us a ton with protection,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He can block a lot of guys one-on-one, and you can send help elsewhere.
“And when you have a guy like that, it truly helps the entire offense. So, Laremy has done a great job, but it’s also the entire offensive line. Every man who has stepped there this entire year has done a great job holding it down, protecting C.J. and giving him an opportunity to complete the passes that he’s made downfield.”
Tunsil was the Texans’ only Pro Bowl selection. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time and was selected as a starter. His blocking presence is pivotal against Garrett.
“It starts upfront,” Stroud said. “Of course, Myles Garrett is one of the best players to ever play this game. He proves that week in and week out.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
