The Houston Texans are going with a rookie center after all.
Scott Quessenberry, who started 16 games a year ago, tore his ACL and MCL early in training camp. Second-rounder Juice Scruggs assumed the position, but was placed on injured reserve to begin the 2023 campaign.
Buy Texans TicketsFor the Texans, the philosophy has been “next man up,” which can be said of all other 31 teams. However, Houston went with another rookie in sixth-round pick Jarrett Patterson.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik expressed confidence in the former Notre Dame product’s ability to anchor the offensive line as the Texans face the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.
“The biggest thing that stands out with him is consistency and reliability,” Slowik told reporters Sept. 7. “You know what you’re going to get — he’s the same every day. He’s very, very sharp. Mentally, he’s on his calls, on his technique. He gets better every day.”
Patterson has displayed a bevy of traits since joining the Texans in May, but consistency has been exceptional.
Said Slowik: “He’s just extremely reliable for a young offensive lineman — that stood out from day one, really when he came in in training camp.”
In addition to Patterson, the Texans will start another rookie on offense in quarterback C.J. Stroud, making them the first rookie center-quarterback duo to debut on Opening Day in Texans history.
