The Houston Texans have to do some shuffling on the offensive line right now due to a variety of injuries.
Tytus Howard is working through a hand injury that has put his Week 1 status in question, Kenyon Green and Scott Quessenberry are both out for the year, Charlie Heck is on the physically unable to perform list and Juice Scruggs strained his hamstring in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints. As a result, the Texans traded for tackle Josh Jones on Friday and traded for offensive lineman Kendrick Green on Tuesday.
General manager Nick Caserio said Wednesday that despite criticisms of Green's play in Pittsburgh, he was a player that Houston targeted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
"Had good traits, had a good playing style, good testing numbers, played a lot as a rookie," Caserio said. "There's varying opinions. He actually played probably more competitive and people think. I know there's some some commentary made about him.
"In the end, we can't really worry about what happened somewhere else. Try to focus on where we are now and what you think he can bring the table. Has some inside flexibility center-guard, guard-center. He's an offensive lineman is what he is."
Green's time with the Steelers was rocky to say the least, especially this preseason.
The third-round draft pick played 975 snaps in 15 games his rookie season, grading out as a 54.7 run blocker and 50.7 pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. Green allowed 18 pressures, 11 hurries, four hits on the quarterback and three sacks at center.
Green, however, was inactive all of 2022.
He played this preseason with the Steelers and Green received intense criticism from head coach Mike Tomlin.
"Not good enough," Tomlin said of Green's play Aug. 19. "Routine things routinely is what we expect, and it doesn't get anymore fundamental than [center-quarterback] exchanges."
Green and rookie Jarrett Patterson both took repetitions at center in practice Wednesday. Green has the versatility to play both center and guard, but if he wants to snap for quarterback C.J. Stroud, he'll have to clean up his mistakes and play fundamental football.
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