'What Everyone Dreams Of!': Jonathan Greenard Excited For Texans Playoff Run
Jonathan Greenard smiled when asked how he felt returning to practice for the first time in nearly three weeks.
“Felt pretty good,” the Houston Texans fourth-year defensive end said. “Just going to continue where we go and progress through the week. Saturday we’re going to be good to go.”
Greenard is back entering Houston's wild-card round matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland was the last team the veteran defender played before suffering an ankle injury on Christmas Eve, so the game remains fresh in his mind.
While C.J. Stroud, Derek Stingley Jr. and Will Anderson Jr. garner most attention for their breakout seasons, Greenard has put together a campaign for the ages. He leads Houston with 12.5 sacks and has recorded 52 total tackles.
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Prior to the injury, Greenard was one a tear, recording 5.5 sacks over the previous three games. He's entering a contract year and might be one of the more sought-after free agents entering March.
Those numbers could have expanded if not for the ankle sprain suffered in the first quarter. Greenard would miss the final two games of the regular, including last week's playoff-clinching win over the Colts.
“It was tough,” Greenard said. “Especially how it happened. Somebody just falls on you when you’re not even looking. Freak accident. That was more frustrating than anything. But ultimately, I knew that I was going to come back.”
Greenard is needed if Houston hopes to secure revenge at NRG Stadium. Veteran defensive lineman Jerry Hughes was ruled out Thursday and Anderson still isn't 100 percent healthy.
The last time the Browns came to NRG Stadium, Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper gave fans flashbacks to 2021 and 2022 every other play. Cooper broke the franchise's single-game receiving record with 265 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches.
Flacco, a favorite to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns. As a unit, the Texans recorded one sack and six pressures on the afternoon.
"We need to take away some of the explosives and big plays that we gave up, so whoever is playing for us, that’s going to come back to working our techniques, playing the calls that we’re calling, executing what we need to execute," said defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
The Texans should be near full strength for Sunday's matchup. Receiver Noah Brown returned to practice for the first time in over a week after suffering a back injury against the Tennessee Titans. Last week, Nico Collins caught nine passes for a career-high 195 yards and a touchdown.
Dalton Schultz served as the No. 2 target and hauled in five balls for 42 yards. Five other receivers combined for seven catches, 27 yards and a score.
Brown currently is fifth in receptions (33), fourth in receiving yards (567), and fourth in touchdowns (2). Veteran pass-catcher Robert Woods also returned to practice after missing last week's game against the Colts.
Greenard, Brown, Woods, Anderson defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins and fullback Andrew Beck were all listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. Four players were active last week, while Greenard and Woods seem hell-bent on returning for a postseason run.
For Greenard, missing Saturday's game isn't an option. Drafted in the third round pick out of Florida in 2020, the defender has had a different head coach each season. Results, however, never changed.
As a rookie, Greenard watched as the Texans finished 4-12. A year later, 4-13. After that, 3-13-1.
Greenard hasn't been able to bask in the glory days at NRG Drive. On Saturday, that narrative changes.
"To go in the playoffs and get a chance to go win a ring is huge," said Greenard. "That’s what everybody dreams of to be in this league. I know that’s what I’ve been dreaming of since I got here."
