Texans lineman-fullback Kendrick Green showcases versatility: ‘He jumps off the tape with how he moves, really tough’

HOUSTON – Growing up in Peoria, Illinois, Texans offensive lineman Kendrick Green once had a piece of red tape on the back of his helmet as a designation for youth football players deemed too large to carry the football.

In the NFL, there are no such limitations.

And, after practicing fullback during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green is crosstraining again with the Texans as a blocking fullback.

At 6-foot-4, 315 pounds with 4.85 speed in the 40-yard dash, the former third-round draft pick from Illinois is well-suited for the assignment. Against the New England Patriots in a 41-21 win at Gillette Stadium, Green played seven snaps on offense operating as a lead blocker for running back Joe Mixon.

“It was good,” Green told KPRC 2. “The coaches asked me if I could do it and they put it in. It worked well. It was a lot of fun.”

Perhaps Green will have his William “Refrigerator” Perry moment and get to touch the football as he did in high school when he ran for a few touchdowns.

“I would love that,” said Green, who’s a top reserve at center and guard for the defending AFC South champions after being acquired in a trade last season from Pittsburgh.

Fully healthy Kendrick Green, ‘feeling great,’ ready to compete for Texans starting job on one of ‘best’ lines in NFL (click2houston.com)

Source: Texans guard Kendrick Green tore meniscus, ligaments not torn; Juice Scruggs to be activated in next few weeks (click2houston.com)

Yes, the other offensive lineman have been joking with Green about his new status as a “skill player.”

“I’ve got to report to the official every play,” Green said. “The guys bust my chops a little bit. Just trying to get on the field anyway I can other than field goal and be ready for my time.”

Green is proud of his ability to catch and throw the football. He can easily dunk a basketball. He’s a good athlete.

“Any offensive lineman that’s not in the game is a willing participant to roll out in there if they can,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “But Kendrick, in particular, he’s got speed, he’s got twitch and he jumps off the tape with how he moves, how quick he goes and he’s really tough. In that specific game and what we were doing with him, that’s really all we were looking for and he was all-in on trying to get it done.”

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