HOUSTON – Juice Scruggs moved to his right a few steps from his natural center position, adapting to his third starting position of the season.
Back from a foot injury that sidelined him for three games, Scruggs is now the Texans’ starting right offensive guard in their latest offensive line configuration.
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It was a solid debut for Scruggs, previously at left offensive guard before he got hurt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and at center to begin the season before issues with line stunts and blitzes led to another position change. Now, the former second-round draft pick from Penn State is adjusting on the fly as the Texans had a successful game in a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans to close out the regular season.
“Definitely a little different, but just trying to get comfortable,” Scruggs told KPRC 2. “I feel like we had a good game, good direction, getting ready for the real season: the playoffs.”
Heading into an AFC wild-card round playoff game Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium, the Texans rushed for 207 yards on 29 carries with backup running back Dameon Pierce rushing for a career-high 178 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown run that’s the second-longest run in franchise history and the longest run of any back in the NFL this season.
And starting quarterback C.J. Stroud wasn’t sacked during his six throws, all completions, during a game-opening drive he capped with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins. Backup quarterback Davis Mills was only sacked once.
“I think it was a smooth day,” Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil told KPRC 2. “We always have that next man up mentality and we have already gelled as a unit. It’s just plug and replace.”
'Good step, good direction,' #Texans right guard Juice Scruggs on new position, line configuration heading into #Chargers playoff game at NRG Stadium on Saturday @KPRC2 https://t.co/CS9GoUIOyR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 7, 2025
With starting right guard Shaq Mason out three to four weeks or even longer considering it’s a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament, the Texans’ new alignment is Tunsil and Tytus Howard at left guard with center Jarrett Patterson, Scruggs and rookie right tackle Blake Fisher blocking for Pierce and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.
“With our offensive line, I thought our guys did a good job just when it came to protecting, when it came to the run game, staying on blocks, staying attached,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I think that allowed us to have some success in the run game with Joe and DP running the football. I thought our line did a really nice job of creating some lanes there. Our backs, DP, of course, did a really great job, playing with great vision.
“When the space wasn’t there, he was able to create it on his own and break a really long run there. So, proud of DP for what he was able to do. And O-line, with the protection. I thought they did a really nice job of giving our quarterbacks time. Quarterbacks stepped up in the pocket, both C.J. and Davis and made some nice plays off-schedule there. So, we’re headed in the right direction. We just have to be more consistent all the way across the board.”
How the Texans protected the quarterbacks and blocked for the running game can represent something of a blueprint in the postseason.
“That’s when real football starts,” Tunsil said. “Next game, next opponent, let’s get it. I think this is when we take the next step. We all knew it was in DP. We’re not surprised at all he had the performance he had. He’s well-respected.”
It’s an approach the Texans have been hoping for all season. This is how they hoped to play football, with physicality and a downhill running style.
“We’ve been wanting to do that all year,” Scruggs said. “Definitely good to go out like that. And shoutout to DP. It’s been a long season for him, but he just kept his head down and kept working. Definitely confidence to come out against a good front like that and be able to run the ball, definitely a confidence boost going into the playoffs. You’ve just got to keep building. That’s winning football right there.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
