HOUSTON – In the debut of the Texans’ new-look offensive line, it was a mostly workable performance as they reconfigured the lineup due to left guard Juice Scruggs’ foot injury.
Right tackle Tytus Howard shifted to left offensive guard to help the team out with Scruggs sidelined for the next two to three weeks, per league sources.
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And rookie offensive tackle Blake Fisher made his first NFL star at right tackle as the second-round draft pick from Notre Dame dealt with a tough blocking assignment against Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Chop Robinson.
It’s the same configuration the Texans are expected to utilize Saturday on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
“Really pleased with the offensive line and what they did, really liked the lineup that we had,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “I’d like to thank Tytus, he should get some love for being unselfishly moving over inside to the left guard position. And Blake, coming in playing the most snaps that he’s played. I think he had a good start there and he still has room to grow and improve.
“I think for his first time, his first outing there, I think he did a really good job. And, just collectively, the group held up pretty well in protection, always things to clean up. But I was pleased with the line play and we’ll see where we can grow from there.”
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked four times during a 20-12 win, but one occurred when he ran out of bounds. He was hit six times overall, but was never under heavy duress and had enough time to throw two touchdown passes.
“I felt like we had a solid game,” Fisher said. “From top to bottom, I was just trying to do my job for the guys out there. I’m playing for them and they trust me. I’m just trying to make sure I’m doing my piece. Obviously, there was a couple of sacks there. We want to correct that and fix those. Other than that, I thought we had a solid day.”
#Texans rookie right tackle Blake Fisher on his #NFL starting debut @KPRC2 @NDFootball @KlutchSports pic.twitter.com/OdMjdMlwzD
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 15, 2024
Texans right guard Shaq Mason said that Fisher’s awareness for a rookie was a plus.
“He was communicating, he had a very good understanding of the game,” Mason said. “Every time he got to the bench, he was telling me what he was seeing with the same vision you wanted to take away.”
Stunts gave the Texans trouble, as did the power and quickness of defensive lineman Zach Seiler, who had 1 1/2 sacks and two quarterback hits, and Calais Campbell, four tackles, one for a loss, and Robinson, who had four pressures, 1 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits and one tackle for a loss.
“I thought it went great,” Stroud said. “I thought with Tytus not really practicing there all week, he stepped in and did the best he could. I thought he did really great. You know, I thought that was one of the best interior D-lines that we played this year. I think [Sieler] is very underrated. Calais is like the Terminator. He’s huge. He’s like 6-foot-7, and he’s putting his hands up. He’s really good.
“So, that interior does a really good job and their D-line coach, hats off to him. They do a good job of pick stunting and things like that. When the time was there, I felt like they did a great job picking those up and I was able to deliver in those instances. But definitely think they did a great job. For Blake to step in as a young guy is amazing.”
The run blocking wasn’t as good as the pass blocking. The Texans rushed for just 77 yards on 20 carries with 35 of those yards coming on running back Dare Ogunbowale’s fake punt run. Running back Joe Mixon was slowed by an ankle injury incurred on a hip drop tackle by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks that wasn’t flagged. He remained in the game and rushed for just 23 yards on 12 carries.
“He held his own,” Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil said of Fisher. “He did everything that you could do in the game. He’s a good player. Next man up mentality.”
Fisher came away encouraged by his debut.
“I think it’s just a test to the work I put in practice, going up against the other guys that we have,” Fisher said. “It’s just the consistency. That’s one of the biggest things that I’m trying to work on. I just want to see consistency. I feel like I’m a talented player and just trying to put it all together.”
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
