The Houston Texans Have Designated Their 2nd-Round Pick For Return from Injured Reserve-He Has Not Played This Season.

Scruggs committed to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions for the 2018 season as a four-star recruit. He saw limited action in his first year, appearing in only three snaps during their game against Maryland. He was named the joint winner of the team’s Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year.

Scruggs was involved in a devastating car crash in 2019.

Scruggs was involved in a devastating car crash before spring drills started. He suffered a concussion and a fractured vertebrae. He had to wear a back brace for eight months and missed the 2019 season.

Scruggs returned to the football field in the next season.

He recovered and returned to action for the 2020 season. He appeared in seven games but didn’t start.

He started every game during the 2021 season. He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and the media, PFF All-Big Ten third team, and the team’s Dick Maginnis Memorial Award which recognizes the most outstanding offensive lineman.

He was voted team captain and started in all 12 games during the 2021 season. He was named third-team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches. He forgone his extra year of eligibility and declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Scruggs’ path to the draft.

The Houston Texans drafted Juice Scruggs in the 2nd round, 62nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Scruggs was slated to be the starting center during training camp.

Projected starting center David Quessenberry suffered a torn ACL and MCL during practice on August 3. Scruggs took over in first-team reps in the absence of Quessenberry until the hamstring injury during their preseason finale.

The first player who started was their 6th-round pick.

The first player to fill in for the injured Scruggs was Jarrett Patterson. Houston drafted Patterson in the 6th round, 201st overall in the 2023 draft. He started the first seven games. He suffered an ankle injury, and Houston placed him on injured reserve.

The second player who started was their free-agent acquisition.

The second player to fill in for the injured Scruggs was Michael Deiter. Houston signed Deiter to a 1-year deal during the 2023 offseason. They released him during roster cuts but promoted him to the active roster on September 16. He started the last three games.

Will Scruggs play this season?

Juice Scruggs has already practiced, which means they can activate him to the active roster soon. It is unclear when they will activate him. When he does, expect him to return to the starting lineup.

This is good news for the Houston Texans. Their offensive line gets one starter back from injury.