Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard did not know he would be starting against the Carolina Panthers until just before kickoff.
The former 2020 third-round pick started one game among the 13 he played in his rookie season, and would match that total in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football.
“I expected, whatever situation comes, I was going to be ready for it,” said Greenard.
The 6-3, 263-pound edge defender provided Houston with four combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and a forced fumble, but Greenard believes he could have done better in the Texans’ 24-9 loss to the Panthers.
“I left some plays out there,” Greenard said. “I feel like it was a good game to get my feet back under me in a game situation, fast pace, but definitely always room for improvement, but it was solid. I know I could do better.”
Being able to log a sack and a forced fumble was key for Greenard as he works his way into the lineup and develops in defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme.
“It’s something that’s expected of us, so to get excited or think about, this is something that’s just so crazy that we’re seeing, I don’t think it’s time for that,” said Greenard. “I just think that I did what I was supposed to do, just followed the technique, followed the system it allows us to do. You follow the system, and it’s going to make you make a play. I think it was solid, we just left some plays out there we would like to get back, but like I said once again a solid start.”
Greenard will get a chance to leave his all on the field next week when the Texans go on the road to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 at Highmark Stadium.