‘Playing fast and physical,’ Texans guard Kenyon Green delivers arguably top performance of his career against Colts

HOUSTON – Kenyon Green drove off the football at the snap, smashing his hands into an Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman at the line of scrimmage before peeling off to reach the second level and collapse a linebacker to the ground with a piledriving block as he engulfed the much smaller defender.

In the past, especially when Green was significantly heavier and not as quick or explosive, that kind of dominant performance wasn’t as likely or realistic of an outcome.

On Sunday, though, the Texans’ offensive guard delivered arguably the top performance of his career. In his third NFL season, the former first-round draft pick from Texas A&M and blue-chip recruit from Atascosita looked the part of a former consensus All-American and 15th overall pick.

Noticeably leaner and more mobile, Green has lost roughly 30 pounds since his rookie season.

“It was good, especially in a real game going against somebody else other than your teammates,” Green told KPRC 2. “It felt great being out there playing fast and physical. I’m just excited.”

Green played 79 snaps, 40 pass blocking plays and 39 run blocking snaps and was penalized for one false start when center Juice Scruggs appeared to have a hitch in his alignment. Green was extremely aggressive and played with sound pad level and technique. He wasn’t culpable for any sacks, hits allowed or pressures, according to Pro Football Focus analytics.

And running back Joe Mixon, named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, pounded the Colts defense behind Green and the offensive line’s blocks as he rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 30 carries.

“That made you want to block harder, seeing him running over people, getting extra yards,” Green said. “Just to see him going out there and just being Joe that made you want to work even harder.”

Green is in an altogether different mode now as the Texans kicked off the season with a 29-27 victory.

“I want to say there’s a different mindset out of my head, it’s for the team,” Green said. “You’re running off the ball and making sure we get the ‘backer back in his place. That’s just a mindset.”

Once criticized for his conditioning and diet, Green transformed his body into a more efficient machine through a disciplined workout and diet regimen.

“I lost a good amount,” Green said of his weight loss journey.

SEE MORE Healthy and in shape, Texans left guard Kenyon Green: ‘I really want respect, my body is completely ready and prepared’

Down to 315 pounds, Green delivered some impressive blocks in a road win.

The Texans’ starting left guard was knocking down defenders and opening big holes for Mixon as he gashed the Colts’ traditionally stout front seven for 159 rushing yards and one touchdown run.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, during his weekly Monday press conference, expressed pride in Green’s performance.

“From Kenyon, I see the second play of the game, you see Kenyon the way he comes off the ball and the way he finished in such a physical manner on the second play of the game that let me instantly know how he was going to play the entire game,” Ryans said at NRG Stadium. “You saw a relentless, finish mentality, you saw the physicality, you saw the quickness getting up to the second level. Kenyon just got better as the game continued to progress. So, it was very encouraging to see where Kenyon started the season yesterday and to see how much better he can continue to be as we continue to go through this year.”

The results were on full display against the Colts.

There were some pass protection breakdowns spread across the line as the Texans allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked four times as they struggled with inside stunts.

“Just communicating on the pass game with the switch, which we talked about that as a unit,” Green said. “We want to make sure we clean it up, making sure we stay on on board, stay on task, stay with the main thing and focus.”

Mixon recognized all of his blockers collectively, including Green.

“I thought they did a hell of a job,” Mixon said. “It’s not just about one person. Kenyon he definitely had a lot of great plays across the board. They were throwing their bodies in there and doing whatever they can to be physical in the run game. It’s a lot of unselfish guys around here and big playmakers. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Green is practically strutting to the line of scrimmage compared to the past when he appeared to lack energy and feistiness.

Now, Green is getting after the defense.

“Oh yeah, you are probably seeing that, moving around, dancing a little bit,” Green said. “You know, that’s my personality. That’s me. You know that’s me out there having fun communicating with my teammates. I feel great, coming out here to compete.

“I feel healthy and just excited to be out here with the guys. My body is completely ready and prepared. I feel like I matured over the years, going through the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, it made me the man I am today.”

The old narrative has changed for Green. His first two NFL seasons were defined by injuries and a rough start as a rookie starter who dealt with significant growing pains after being drafted with the 15th overall selection.

In his third NFL season, Green lost dozens of pounds and a significant amount of body fat percentage. he trained consistently with the Texans’ strength and conditioning staff, supplementing his workouts with extra work at Ollin Athletics in Cypress and time at Nike in Oregon with Ndamukong Suh.

“This is probably the lowest I’ve been right now,” Green said. “It’s the perfect weight for me. I feel comfortable. I feel strong. I feel ready. I just got away to focus on my eating habits. I’m ready.”

Yes, Green was aware of the frequent criticism he received on social media and on sports talk radio programs. It only motivated him further.

“Definitely, I really want respect,” he said. “I’m coming out here doing what I need to do to prepare and be a help for my team. It’s football. Fans are going to be fans. You deal with them when you have to. I appreciate them for everything.”

Green missed the entire season last year with a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery. He made a full recovery from the shoulder injury, a previous knee injury that required surgery. He appears quicker with more energy during practice sessions.

Adversity has made him stronger, on and off the field.

“I’m grateful to go do that,” Green said. “You’re going to have a rough time. You’ve got to learn how to fight through it. I’m here today, standing. I thank God for everything, because the NFL you can’t just walk in and go. There’s a learning curve. You’ve got to be able to learn with it. I’ve got to push through and continue to get better.”

For Green, it’s a different personal sound track than the difficulties of his rookie season when he had his ups and downs. Green allowed 47 pressures and four sacks in 823 snaps. He had a 37.7 Pro Football Focus blocking grade, a 27.0 pass protection mark for the season, including a season-low 3.6 pass-blocking grade against the Washington Commanders when he struggled to slow down the charge of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Green gave up two sacks and five pressures in that loss.

So, Green rededicated himself to his craft and set his ambitions on reaching his potential.

Through it all, Green has had the unwavering love and support of his parents and sister. They’re fixtures at Texans practices and games and have his back.

“They’ve always been there for me,” Green said. “I appreciate them and I love them. I thank God they’re in my life and they’re supporting this. I’m grateful for them and for this opportunity.”

And the Texans couldn’t be happier with how Green has progressed.

Right, when I first got here, Kenyon, first round pick, you’re expecting him to be that guy: starting, playing for you the first year,” Ryans said. “It didn’t work out that way. He had some injury issues and things to clean up. He was able, this second year with them, he put the work in, in the offseason. In February, he was off-site training, really getting his body ready for this season and it’s what he’s showing in our first game of the year.

“It goes back to the work that he put in February when nobody’s watching, nobody’s thinking about what he’s doing, he had it on his mind. And I could see it last year, just him being around, although he was on IR, just seeing how he was in our meetings and he’d come out, like, ‘Coach, man I’m ready. I want to play. I miss being out there.’ So, you saw eagerness, you saw a guy who’s passionate about the game. He put the work in and we’re seeing the benefits of the work that he’s put in.”

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