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When the Houston Texans open at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday, defensive back Grayland Arnold will make his first start since joining the franchise in 2021.
Arnold will start at nickel corner against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to the absence of Tavierre Thomas, who broke his hand during Houston's 31-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sep. 17.
"To start for my home state, this feels amazing," Arnold exclusively told Texans Daily. "As someone from Texas, it is always good to put on this jersey and compete at a high level — this is definitely a blessing."
As a four-year veteran, 2023 has been a year of milestones for Arnold. He made the Texans' initial 53-man roster for the first time during the NFL's cutdown day in August. He has since appeared in 17 percent of the defensive snaps while contributing to the early-season success of the Texans' secondary.
He has been a foundational guy on Houston's special teams' unit with 42 snaps logged through the first two weeks.
But the most significant challenge for Arnold filling in for Thomas will be the position change. Safety is Arnold's original position. But as Thomas' replacement, Arnold has spent the week understanding the intricacies of playing nickelback.
He said playing closer to the line of scrimmage increases the game speed, which is the biggest difference between safety and nickel corner.
Coach DeMeco Ryans has been high on Arnold's talents since training camp and believes the 5-foot-10 defensive back will be a dependable helper.
"Grayland has earned the right to get reps," Ryans said. "Grayland has been with us from the start, every day. Grayland is a hard worker. He’s there, he’s dialed in to what we are asking him to do. Grayland’s a good football player. He flies around, plays physical. I know Grayland will do well with the role."
Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, the Texans' AFC South battle in Jacksonville will mark Arnold's second career start.
He started at safety during the Eagles' 20-14 Week 17 loss to the then-Washington Football Team. Arnold finished the game with five tackles, three solo hits and one pass deflection.
A replica performance of his lone start with the Eagles would help the Texans overcome a secondary hampered by injuries.
In addition to Thomas, Houston will be without starting safety Jalen Pitre for the second consecutive game due to a bruised lung. And due to his second career hamstring injury, the Texans will also take the field without starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
Week 3 will mark another career accomplishment for Arnold, whose mentality never changes whether entering the game as a starter or reserve player.
"They [Jaguars] have explosive players," Arnold said. "They know how to get the ball to their playmakers to make things happen. I am focus on doing my job and what I can do to help this team win. I am going to go out there and do my job at the highest level."
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