‘Confidence, knowing I got the ability to shut a guy down,’ how Texans rookie Aireontae Ersery is displaying real growth

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Aireontae Ersery is no longer swimming on the field as a rookie once overwhelmed by elite pass rushers’ challenging repertoire of moves.

From struggles that were frequently hurting the Texans offense earlier this season, Ersery is now displaying real growth in his overall game.

Although there are still a few rocky moments here and there, they’re fewer and farther in between for the Texans’ left offensive tackle. Tasked with protecting the quarterback’s blind side, Ersery is building his skills and his belief in his improving ability to stonewall defenders.

“I think it’s just that big C word: confidence,” Ersery told KPRC 2. “Like just building that confidence in week in, week out, knowing I got the ability to shut a guy down. Being here with these guys, practicing with these guys, we got the best defense, so that definitely helps a lot.”

During the third game of the season, Ersery had an extremely rough outing against Jacksonville Jaguars veteran Josh Hines-Allen. Hines-Allen, using a combination of speed rushes and power, impacted the outcome of the game.

One of the most efficient pass rushers in the NFL, Hines-Allen contributed to a seven-point win by dashing around Ersery, finding enough space to deflect a pass from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud that was intercepted by defensive back Antonio Johnson as the football fluttered short of its intended target: wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Ersery allowed one sack, three hurries and five pressures and was flagged three times, twice for holding and once for a facemask infraction.

In the second time against the Jaguars, the Texans earned a 36-29 comeback victory. And Ersery had an impressive 79.8 pass protecting grade, per Pro Football Focus analytics. He allowed zero sacks, three hurries and three pressures.

“I just put it back in my head,” Ersery said. “If I don’t play good, we’re not gonna win.”

He’s right. The play of the left tackle is pivotal to offensive success. This past game, quarterback Davis Mills had two touchdown passes. Ersery also helped seal rookie running back Woody Marks and Mills on touchdown runs.

It’s one of the most difficult positions to play in the NFL, but the second-round draft pick from Minnesota has been largely up to the task.

“Tae has done a really nice job,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It kind of goes missing at times when you understand that a rookie is playing left tackle. Really tough position, he’s done a good job being steady.

“Early on, he had some things, mistakes, things that happened, which is a given for a rookie, but he’s been steady the entire time and that’s what I appreciate about him. He’s not too high, not too low. He’s even-keel, executing his job.”

Ersery, a former Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year for the Golden Gophers, has allowed five sacks, three quarterback hits, 18 hurries and 26 pressures for the season. He allowed four of those sacks in the first four games. Over the past five games, though, he has given up just one sack.

Ersery had a season-high 82.1 pass blocking grade in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. He allowed just two hurries and two pressures.

“I think he’s in a good place, I really do,” Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “I think he’s continued to show toughness. He cares. He wants to get better. He works at it. Same thing that has been the case since we got him here right after the draft, just with more reps and now he’s got some more games under his belt.

“But I think he’s playing good football. He’s playing tough, he’s playing disciplined football in terms of alignment and leverage and those type of things. Hand usage is getting better. So, he’s got to continue on that track. He’s conscientious of that. I’m pleased with him. I really am.”

Ersery has leaned heavily on veteran right tackle Trent Brown, a former Pro Bowl selection whose locker is near the 6-foot-6, 331-pound rookie, for advice and tips.

“Having a guy like Trent, who’s done it for a long time to help him, give him some pointers, I think that’s very beneficial to the rookies,” Ryans said. “That’s very beneficial for our entire league when you have veteran guys who are willing to share, willing to help guys out.

“Now they’ll give you the information that those guys have to go out and still perform, but it’s very helpful. That’s how all the young guys, myself included, coming into the league, you really lean into the veterans and what they’re able to teach you. I’m happy for those guys to build that relationship and hopefully it continues to flourish.”

The Texans’ offensive line will be tested Sunday against the 1-8 Tennessee Titans, whose defense is is headlined by defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

“Tennessee’s defensive line is the strength of their entire team,” Ryans said. ”We know the guys inside are really great players. They can wreck a play at any given time. So, to do that, we just have to play with awareness up front. We got to play with toughness. We’re going to have to grind.

“Simmons is a really great player. He’s going to play hard each and every snap. There is no let-up in him. So, we have to out-compete him as best we can knowing that he’s going to make some plays. We got to weather the storm. We got to keep moving forward. We can’t allow one play to get us down. We just have to keep pressing. We have to keep mixing it up offensively, running our offense the proper way.”

For the season, including an initial start at right tackle before shifting back to his natural left tackle spot, Ersery has an overall blocking grade of 57.7 with a 63.5 pass blocking grade.

The Texans love the upside of the massive rookie, a Kansas City native who has run the 40-yard dash in 5.01 seconds.

“I just knew I had to step up and play how I wanted to play,” Ersery said. “I played how I knew I could play. Even though we won, we don’t want it to be that close. We should have started fast. We finished strong, but we didn’t start as fast as we wanted to. Thankful that we got the dub, but we still think we can learn and grow as a unit.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com