'He'll Start Eventually': Texans Rookie Kenyon Green Shows Promise In Houston Win

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith has said from the get-go that everyone with a starting role will have earned it through practice and performance in training camp.

Rookie offensive lineman Kenyon Green might need another week of practice with the second-team offense, but his performance against the San Francisco 49ers’ second-team defense might be what catapults him up the depth chart.

Green, the 15th overall pick in April’s draft, certainly looked capable of competing with both veterans Justin McCray and Max Scharping for starting reps at left guard.

As a pass protector, the Texas A&M alum still needs work.

As a run blocker, he might already be one the team’s best.

“I felt like I could get better on my details with my pass sets and my hand placement,” Green said following Houston’s 17-0 victory over the 49ers. “Other than that, I felt I did pretty good. Just trying to build. That's my main thing, just building."

Green played in six drives Friday. He took reps with the first-team offense late in the second quarter and remained on the field until the final minutes of the third.

Several plays caught the attention of Smith and the staff. Green delivered a pancake block against 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles that helped Rex Burkhead pick up a first down. In the third quarter, he sealed off defensive tackle Alex Barrett before bulldozing linebacker Segun Olubi, helping Marlon Mack pick up a gain of 24.

On three different occasions, running backs hit the lane that Green opened. All three rushing attempts would end up going for first downs.

“I was excited for him to get in there and get some more live action,” quarterback Davis Mills said. “He’s been banged up a little bit throughout camp, so it’s exciting to finally get him in there."

For the first time since Week 16 last December, the Texans surpassed 100 rushing yards, totaling 156. Mack led the charge with 55 yards off 10 carries. Burkhead finished with 27 yards while rookie sensation Dameon Pierce totaled 36 yards on six attempts.

The Texans are looking to become a more explosive team on the ground. The development of the offensive line is crucial for any success in that department. More specifically, the progression of Green plays an essential role.

Houston finished dead last in rushing yards (1,422), yards per carry (3.4) and rushing touchdowns (8) in 2021. In large part, the offensive line couldn’t maintain a block long enough for any runner to tally a positve net gain.

Green, a two-time All-American during his three seasons as A&M, might give Houston the protection it needs. In his final year with the Aggies, both running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane rushed for over 900 yards and averaged at least 5.5 yards per carry.

Thursday was just a taste of what Green can bring to Houston’s offensive line when healthy. If not for a concussion suffered at the start of training camp, perhaps he'd already be cemented in the starting lineup.

Green already is a much more serviceable run blocker than McCray and Scharping. And while he’ll need to improve on passing sets, that might be enough to slot him in next to Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil for the season opener against Indianapolis.

“There's a reason we drafted him in the first round,” Smith said. “He's a good football player. I thought he did some good things out there, made some good plays, but he's capable of that. Eventually, Kenyon will be in the lineup.”

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