The 2024 season will be crucial for Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard and his long-term future with the organization.
He’s starting off on a high note to begin training camp.
Howard, who missed nearly half of the 2023 campaign with a season-ending knee injury, returned to practice and fully participated in drills on Thursday morning. While still not at 100 percent, the sixth-year offensive lineman was healthy enough to work with the first-team offense at right tackle.
“It was good to see Tytus back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “[He] missed some time with the surgery, so good to see him back healthy and having an opportunity to compete.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on Tytus Howard being back for first day of camp, said everyone expected back for first game including Pro Howl left tackle Laremy Tunsil who didn't practice today but is on active roster list. He had offseason knee scope @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Gs63Pk41Dy
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 18, 2024
Howard, who signed a three-year, $56 million contract extension last offseason, underwent season-ending knee surgery after being carted off in Houston’s Week 12 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Howard, who enters the season as the projected starting right tackle, also suffered a broken hand in training camp, causing him to be placed on the injured reserve and miss the team’s first four games.
When healthy, Howard has been a serviceable starter at multiple positions. After Kenyon Green and Kendrick Green suffered early season-ending injuries, Ryans shifted Howard inside to left guard, leaving George Fant at right tackle.
Since undergoing surgery, Howard hasn’t worked out with the rest of the team. He missed voluntary OTAs and did not participate during drills at minicamp last month since he was still in recovery.
While Howard returned to practice, his Pro Bowl counterpart Laremy Tunsil did not. Tunsil is in the building but did not partake in drills as he’s still rehabbing from knee surgery earlier this offseason.
Plenty of positives warming up. RT Tytus Howard and WR Noah Brown among them. #Texans pic.twitter.com/o5KW9VL8gs
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) July 18, 2024
Ryans said that certain players will be on “different schedules throughout camp” so Tunsil may miss some practices. That’s fine so long as he’s ready for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oli Stadium on September 8.
According to the second-year coach, he’s on schedule to return.
“Everybody is on track for the season opener,” Ryans said. “That’s what this is all about, getting guys ready to go when we kick off the season opener.”
