The Houston Texans weren’t supposed to need Austin Deculus so soon.
As the organization formed its offensive line throughout the offseason, three-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil was to man left tackle with former 2019 first-rounder Tytus Howard locking down right tackle.
In a series of training camp and regular season injuries, Tunsil and Howard have played just one game between the two of them. The reserves are starting to take on attrition as backup Josh Jones has not practiced all week with a hand injury.
The Texans brought back Geron Christian, who started eight of 14 games active in 2021. However, Houston may have to rely on their final pick of the 2022 NFL draft to anchor the left side in Week 4.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik expressed to reporters Sept. 28 a sense of confidence in the former sixth-rounder from LSU.
“He’s been putting the work in over the first three weeks,” Slowik said. “We’ve noticed — we don’t really take — a lot of teams call it a scout team — guys that are out there doing cards. We don’t take that for granted. We coach that pretty hard. We evaluate it, we’re constantly talking to our guys about it to make sure their fundamentals and techniques can improve on a week-to-week basis.”
Deculus has been active for two games for Houston, although all 12 of his snaps were on special teams. Should the Texans use the Cy-Fair High School alumnus extensively on offense, he can count on support.
“Obviously, we’re not just going to put him out there,” said Slowik. “We’re going to make sure we help him in the run game and the pass game and that’s all the way across the board.”
The Texans face the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium. Pittsburgh (2-1) enters Week 4 with the most sacks with 13.
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