‘Don’t think, just attack,’ Mario Edwards Jr. starting at defensive tackle after Denico Autry suspension

HOUSTON – Roughly an hour before the NFL announced the suspension of versatile Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry for six games for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy, his potential replacement was holding court.

Mario Edwards Jr, now listed as the starting defensive tackle on the Texans’ unofficial depth chart, lined up in place of Autry at practice opposite defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi.

With a reputation for his ability to line up on the edge of the defense or as an interior rusher, Edwards has been drawing strong reviews at training camp from the coaching staff. Now, he’ll step into a more prominent role with Autry serving his punishment from the league office.

Edwards plays the game with a head-knocking, hard-nosed style.

“Don’t think, just attack, just go, be aggressive, penetrate, disruptive, that is my style of ball,” Edwards said shortly before the suspension was announced. “Playing fast and physical to the echo of the whistle. Absolutely, it is attack and put your hands on somebody, man against man, bloody somebody’s nose, just that real aggressive style of football that we like.”

When Edwards signed with the Texans, he had ambitions to start. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes a $200,000 signing bonus with $500,000 total guaranteed with a $1.21 million salary with $300,000 of it guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap, plus another $350,000 available in playtime incentives, Edwards could wind up in the opening-game lineup Sept. 8 against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I didn’t know how that was going to play out,” Edwards said. “I kind of left that up to the coaches. I just knew that I was going to come in and give it everything I had and do the best I could and let the chips fall where they fall.”

Edwards Jr. has dominated drills, using timing, power and moves to his advantage.

The veteran defensive lineman has found a comfort zone in Texans coach DeMeco Ryans’ aggressive 4-3 scheme. And Edwards, a former Las Vegas Raiders second-round draft pick from Florida State, has drawn a lot of praise from the coaching staff.

It’s gotten to a point where it would be surprising if he doesn’t have an impactful season with the defending AFC South champions. Edwards has just been that good.

“The thing that popped off on film is he has twitch, he can really get off the football,” Texans defensive line coach Rodrique Wright said. “I’m impressed with how violent he is. We’re teaching these guys to attack and get off the football. That’s what he has, that makeup of toughness and twitch and flexibility playing off the edge and inside. This is another guy that this front is made for. I told him if you had been in our system the whole time, he would have been lights out. He’s happy to be here and we’re happy to have him.”

Edwards grew up in Prosper, Texas, as the son of former NFL player Mario Edwards, who played four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys as the teammate of Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Darren Woodson.

“It has been good,” Edwards said. “I love it here and they have been making it feel real home and this would be great for me. I am three hours away from my home, so this has been a good place to kind of just settle down and call home. I started in Texas and my dad played for the Cowboys. So, to be three hours from home is fun. It was a blueprint growing up and being able to go into the Dallas Cowboys; stadium. Specifically, seeing Emmitt, seeing Darren, I have been preparing for this and then some.”

Edwards, 30, played for the Seattle Seahawks last season. The Gautier, Mississippi native has also played for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

A former national champion with the Seminoles and All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, Edwards has 156 career tackles, 21 1/2 sacks, four forced fumbles and six pass deflections. In 15 games and one start last season for Seattle last year, he had 21 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, five tackles for losses and six quarterback hits.

With the Titans in 2022, he had three sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He had a career-high four sacks in 2020 with the Bears.

“Mario, a veteran, he shows up intense every day,” Ryans said. “Locked in and asking ‘coach, how can I get better?’ You show up with that mindset, it’s easy for us to coach you. Mario has done a great job for what we’ve asked him to do.

“Little scheme change for him and he’s taken to it well. He’s taken the coaching well. Coach Rod has been doing a great job with him. He just adds to the versatility amongst our defensive line and that’s what we’re looking for across our entire team. As many versatile players as we can have allows us schematically to mix things up a lot.”

Edwards said he’s willing and able to play defensive tackle or line up at defensive end.

“I just see myself as where coach needs me to go and make a play and make it happen, I’m willing to do and ready to go do it,” Edwards said. “It don’t matter to me. I play all up and down the line, wherever they need me to make a play.”

NOTES: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud practiced fully Monday after getting his foot stepped on Saturday by Fatukasi and having Sunday off. Stroud didn’t miss any snaps Saturday or Monday. ... The Texans practiced on a hot, clear day after multiple rain-soaked camp days. Under the Texas heat, the Texans had a crisp workout. “A really good day for us today,” Ryans said. “A nice, clear day, hot day here in Houston like normal training camps. It was good for our guys to get out in the heat and just mentally, right, you have to be mentally tough to play in this league and we need all types of weather that we can work in. We need those things to continue to build our resiliency as a team and that was a good, hot day for us today where guys had to truly tough it out.” ... Ryans hasn’t indicated specifically who will play in the Hall of Fame game Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, but he is expected to not play several key starters and older veterans. That should include Stroud and other experienced players. “For the guys who are out there, it’s important,” Ryans said. “That’s the first thing that we have to understand that all these guys are vying for a spot on this team. They’re vying for a spot, a chance to play in the NFL and make it, so we don’t take it lightly for all the guys to get reps and we want to make sure our guys are prepared and they’re playing their best, so they can showcase their talent to the entire league and we have a lot of young guys who we’ll see play in this game and I’m excited to see them just go play. Certain guys, they show up when the lights come on. You may not see it out here at practice all the time, when the lights come on, they just have a good feel for playing the game and that’s what we want to see on Thursday.” ... Texans Pro Bowl alternate corner Derek Stingley Jr. has excelled at camp with a series of strong performances. “Stingley has done great throughout camp,” Ryans said. “He’s made some plays. He’s been consistent throughout camp as well. He’s showing up every day. So, Stingley – I think it’s another big year ahead of Stingley. He just continues to build off of – each and every day, continue to build.”ose guys, I think it’ll definitely show themselves in the game come Thursday. So, I’m excited to see how our O-line shows up on Thursday.” ... Ryans celebrated his 40th birthday Sunday. “I tell people, I’m always working on my birthday,” Ryans said. “It’s always in training camp. I’m always working and I’m always thankful to know that I’m working and I’m enjoying getting to do what I love doing on my birthday. So, it’s been a long time since I celebrated a birthday. And like I tell my wife, ‘I don’t miss it. I’m good.’ The birthday cake and everything, that’s for the kids. They enjoy it more than me.” ... Texans safety Jimmie Ward addressed the practice scuffle that ensued after his big hit on wide receiver Stefon Diggs. “It was just a misunderstanding, really,” he said. “It wasn’t nothing, we let it go. Iron sharpens iron and guys trying to get better each day.” Yes, Ward had a conversation with Ryans about what happened. “Be smart in the situation,” he said. “I was trying to play smart, trying to do what the coaches tell me to do.” ... Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (soft-tissue injury), linebacker Christian Harris (soft-tissue injury), Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (offseason arthroscopic knee surgery), tight end Dalton Keene (left leg), quarterback Case Keenum and cornerback C.J. Henderson (ankle) didn’t practice. Mixon won’t play in the Hall of Fame game and backup Dameon Pierce and rookie Jawhar Jordan are expected to play extensively. Fullback Andrew Beck was activated from the physically unable to perform list after recovering from a strained calf. ... Offensive tackle Charlie Heck injured his foot Monday. ... The Texans’ initial unofficial depth chart includes rookie corner Kamari Lassiter as a starter ahead of Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson, Kenyon Green at left guard, and Jalen Pitre as a starting safety with Desmond King as the first-string nickel. However, Pitre has primarily played nickel in camp with King working with the reserves and Eric Murray as a first-team safety next to Jimmie Ward. ... Nicknamed the Locksmith, Lassiter, a second-round draft pick from Georgia, is set to be an immediate starter. “Definitely the best young DB I’ve seen coming out of college that I’ve had the chance to go against,” wide receiver Noah Brown said. “He’s very sticky in coverage, very confident in his ability and I think if he keeps on the pace that he’s at, he could have an elite rookie season and an elite career. I think with him, it’s more confidence level. He’s not scared to stand up there at the line with you. He’s not backpedaling out early. He’s trying to get hands on. He’s confident in his ability and you can tell through his play.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com