Texans Rookie Reflects on Brutal Performance vs. Jaguars

Among those for the Houston Texans who had a longer day than most during their Week 3 loss vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars was second-round rookie and starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery.

Ersery, who was making his second-ever start at left tackle and third-career start in the NFL, had a far from optimal day in the trenches. He finished his day with a 51.9 PFF grade, logging three penalties to his name, allowing one sack, three hurries, and five pressures to make things a bit tougher on C.J. Stroud in the pocket during an all-around sputtering showing from this offense.

After the game, Ersery would end up taking accountability for those lapses on his part, making the sentiment clear that he didn't play up to the standard he needed to.

“Man, I take responsibility,” Ersery said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. “I didn’t play up to the standard, and that ain’t gonna never do it. I’ve gotta be way better, so just keep my process the same. But just work way harder and push myself to the limits. And hope that everything just turn out good for me."

Ersery's had his ups and downs throughout the first three weeks of his career. Week 1 vs. the LA Rams ended up with a similar shaky result, where he finished with the worst PFF grade on the offensive line (41.6) while allowing five pressures and a sack, but Week 2 would be a bit more defined as he moved from the right to left tackle (66.4).

But for the Texans' line to be at its best, and make the vital improvements necessary after three weeks of disarray, it needs to follow with more consistency from their rookie left tackle, playing the most important role on a Houston offensive front, inevitably helping Stroud onto his feet after some excessive turbulence.