HOUSTON – DeMeco Ryans said that everything was on the table when it comes to the Texans’ struggling offensive line.
He backed up those words Sunday.
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After left guard Kenyon Green, the lowest-graded performer from a road loss to the Green Bay Packers with a 29.0 pass blocking grade, started the game, the former first-round draft pick and Texas A&M consensus All-American from Atascosita High School was benched when he surrendered a sack in the first quarter. He was replaced by center-guard Jarrett Patterson.
To his credit, Green, 23, was accountable about his shortcomings in the game.
“I wasn’t playing well,” Green said. “So, they had to make changes. .. It’s football. You got ups and downs. So, just continue to keep going, keep pushing.”
The calamity of the line continued, though. Patterson suffered a concussion on running back Joe Mixon’s touchdown run. So, the Texans sent Green back into the game instead of replacing him again with left guard Kendrick Green.
How will Green solidify his position? “Do my job. That’s what I need to do.”
#Texans guard Kenyon Green @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/zV9RHEBBy2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2024
The Texans allowed four sacks and seven quarterback hits during the loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field as communication was rough.
Stroud was sacked twice against the Colts and hit nine times. He was pressured 57.5 percent of his drop backs, according to Next Gen analytics.
Green allowed seven pressures and one sack. He got pushed into the backfield when running back Joe Mixon was tackled for a loss.
Green has arrived at a crossroads in his career. This was supposed to be his bounce-back season after missing the entire season last year with a torn labrum that required surgery and struggling throughout his rookie year. Green got in outstanding shape this offseason after dealing with weight and conditioning issues his first season in the NFL after being drafted 15th overall. The Texans opted for Green instead of other available players that have gotten off to fast starts in the NFL, including Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Lindenbaum and safety Kyle Hamilton.
“It was okay,” Green said. “It felt like we can definitely be better, especially on my end.”
Green had a lengthy conversation with Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik during which he received encouragement to keep pushing.: “Just telling me to keep being me, just keep getting better and just keep fighting.”
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#Texans Jarrett Patterson shaken up on the play, being helped up by trainers. He's walking off field @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2024
Texans general manager Nick Caserio has invested heavily in the offensive line, including a three-year, $75 million deal for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the highest graded pass blocker from the Green Bay setback, $56 million for Howard and $36 million for right guard Shaq Mason, a first-round pick for Green and a second-round selection for center Juice Scruggs.
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Against the Packers, Green had one sack allowed, two hurries and three pressures, according to Pro Football Focus analytics
“Just communication, we’ve got to communicate and lock in,” Green told KPRC 2 after the Green Bay game. “They came out in the second half with a different game plan and they executed. We got to execute and that’s what we didn’t do. We need to execute and finish. It’s football. You have good game and bad games. You have to keep fighting. It’s a long season.”
With Jarrett Patterson remaining out under #NFL concussion protocol, Kenyon Green stays in at left guard @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/ktVVJfcQde
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2024
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
