If any position group must stay healthy in 2024, it’s the Houston Texans’ offensive line.
Eight different rotations took the field in 2023 en route to an AFC South division title. Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud did enough to evade consequential damage while running for his life on certain Sundays.
Tytus Howard missed 10 games last season due to multiple ailments, including a season-ending knee injury.
Kenyon Green, Houston’s 2022 first-round pick out of Texas A&M, missed the entire season after suffering a shoulder strain in the final preseason game against New Orleans.
Juice Scruggs, Kendrick Green and Jarrett Patterson all spent time on the injured reserve, with Scurggs finishing the season out of his natural center position due to need.
Even Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil missed two games because of a knee issue that’s kept him out of offseason seasons.
So yes, the Texans must have stability in the trenches if they expect to win more than the division. Howard, however, feels like Houston is ahead of schedule since nearly everyone is healthy.
“We’re in a whole better place,” Howard said after Tuesday’s practice, the first in shoulder pads and first open to fans. “We’ve got all the guys healthy right now. We’ve got that camaraderie. We’ve been playing together for a year. I’m just happy to be a part of the O-line this year, healthy.”
Day 5 of Texans training camp is in the books. Tytus Howard talked about the difference between this year and last year; while Jalen Pitre spoke about the intensity at practice #texans @KHOU pic.twitter.com/9XrrC0AP7T
— Luis Ortiz (@OrtizSportsTV) July 23, 2024
Howard, Houston’s first-round pick in 2019, might face the most pressure heading into 2024. Last offseason, he inked a three-year extension worth $56 million to remain a fixture on the offensive for Stroud entering the DeMeco Ryans era.
A broken hand kept him out most of training camp. A knee injury sidelined him starting in November until last week when players reported for camp.
Since being drafted out of Alabama State, Howard’s played one entire season in Houston. Even then, he only played seven snaps in the 19-14 win over Tennessee on Christmas Eve after leaving in the first quarter.
Howard knows he’ll need to stay healthy if he plans on sticking around Houston long after the 2024 campaign. He’s feeling healthy after rehabilitating the knee earlier this spring and is trying to control what’s in his reach.
I asked Texans RT Tytus Howard for his first impression of Stefon Diggs, who he calls a “dog”.
“He’s a good guy. Everybody says all this stuff about him – he’s a diva – I haven’t seen it.”#HTownMade | @espn975 pic.twitter.com/A0nmjX3VbI
— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) July 23, 2024
“I’m doing what I can do to stay healthy and play the best I can play,” Howard said. “But I feel like the O-line’s in a good place right now, and we’re only going to get better.”
The projected starting five include Shaq Mason, Scruggs, Howard, Kenyon Green and Tunsil. So far, four of them have seen nearly every rep against the first-team defense coming out of the huddle.
With Tunsil sidelined, second-round pick Blake Fisher has seen a majority of reps in his place. Ryans considers these reps valuable, even if the former Notre Dame star serves as a backup this season.
Howard remembers the transition from college to training camp and how much dialogue goes into preparation. Now entering Year 6, he’s been pleased with how Fisher has carried himself through practice, even after a bad rep.
“We’ve been pouring into him, and he’s getting better every day,” Howard said. “He’s learning a lot from me and LT. He’s going to be a great player himself, too.”
Tytus Howard on Shaq Mason:
“He’s the best player I’ve ever played beside”
“One of the best guards in the NFL”
Shaq is extremely overlooked pic.twitter.com/BdPm1H0sJw
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 23, 2024
As for Tunsil, Howard knows his running mate on the opposing side will be back when near 100%. That might be the best plan, especially given the history of Houston’s injury woes.
“I think they’re just taking his stuff a little different, but LT’s doing great,” Howard said. “He’s in great shape; he’s feeling good.”
