15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 12 George Fant

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is George Fant, who played a key role at right tackle.

The Houston Texans had, by all accounts, an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has already taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and Devin Singletary, and rookie Tank Dell. Today, attention turns towards right tackle George Fant.

Texans’ Tytus Howard calls out Titans’ Jaleel Johnson for ‘dirty’ play in Week 17

Titans DL Jaleel Johnson might face a fine for a little extracurricular activity after a play in the Week 17 loss to the Texans.

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson might be facing a fine for a little extracurricular activity after a play during the Week 17 game against the Houston Texans.

During the third quarter of last week’s game, with the Titans trailing 20-3 in a game they eventually lost 26-3, Johnson, who was playing his former team, appeared to throw a forearm at Houston running back Devin Singletary following one of his 16 carries on the day.

Johnson was not flagged, thus the play went unnoticed. However, after the game, radio host Seth Payne pointed out what the veteran lineman did, and that drew this response from his former teammate and Texans offensive lineman, Tytus Howard:

While Johnson has played OK for the most part this season, he has garnered more attention for his calling out the Titans after they cut him last month. Surprisingly, Johnson was brought back more than a week after.

We’ll see if Johnson will get hit in the wallet for this play when Week 17 fines are revealed on Saturday.

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Texans waive Shaq Griffin, elevate Desmond King amongst flurry of transactions

The Texans made several roster moves on Wednesday, including the decision to waive Shaq Griffin

The Houston Texans are making moves.

The team stayed busy on Wednesday afternoon following an announcement that right tackle Tytus Howard, stationed at left guard for most of the 2023 campaign, is going to miss the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury.

Shortly after the announcement, Houston waived cornerback Shaq Griffin. Griffin started multiple contests for the Texans this season in the absence of Derek Stingley but had played zero snaps at corner the last two games after his interception of Joe Burrow in the Week 10 win over Cincinnati.

After that, it was a series of roster formalities for Houston around the rest of their team. Altogether, they made the following moves:

  • Waived CB Shaq Griffin
  • Placed RT Tytus Howard on Injured Reserve
  • Signed CB Desmond King to the 53-man roster
  • Reinstated LB Denzel Perryman following his 3 game suspension
  • Signed K Matt Ammendola to the practice squad
  • Signed LB Garrett Wallow to the practice squad

Perryman and Ammendola are expected to resume their starting positions at middle linebacker and kicker, respectively, for the team’s game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. King, who was with Houston in the pre-season, may be asked to assist Tavierre Thomas at the nickel cornerback position as he gets up to speed with the defense.

Report: Texans G-T Tytus Howard to have scans on left knee

Houston Texans guard-tackle Tytus Howard will have scans on his left knee following Week 12’s injury.

Tytus Howard just wants to make sure.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Houston Texans’ versatile offensive lineman will undergo imaging scans on Monday morning to ensure that the former 2019 first-round pick has not sustained a severe knee injury.

With 20 seconds left until the end of the first quarter, Howard left the Texans’ 24-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at NRG Stadium. Initially Howard was questionable with a knee injury before being downgraded to out.

Second-round pick Juice Scruggs, who was activated the night prior, filled in for Howard at left guard, which allowed Houston to maintain continuity across the offensive line.

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Texans glad to stack wins, committed to improvement

The Houston Texans are pleased to be winners again, but they have not lost focus on improving the finer aspects of their craft.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-16 in Week 11 for their third-straight victory, the longest since 2018 when the club won nine straight en route to an AFC South title.

The following season the Texans defended their division crown with a 10-win season. Many believed that the team would continue the momentum of becoming a team to be reckoned with in the AFC, including offensive lineman Tytus Howard, who was Houston’s 2019 first-round draft pick from Alabama State.

Howard, 27, had a valid reason to believe so, given the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback under center and coach Bill O’Brien putting together a roster that looked like it could sustain the test of some of the most formidable opponents in the conference.

No one could foresee what would happen next with the quick downward spiral the team would take over the next couple of seasons. The Texans gave O’Brien general manager duties as well, and then fired him after losing his first four games of the season. The Texans picked associate head coach Romeo Crennel as the interim.

 

The star quarterback became disgruntled with the direction the franchise was headed and would soon find himself in some legal trouble after being accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women. He would eventually be traded after sitting out the entire 2021 season. The tumultuous times would continue for Howard and his teammates as they combined to win 11 total games over the next three seasons after winning 10 in his first season.

It’s funny how a rookie quarterback with veteran tendencies and a head coach who truly believes in his players can turn an organization around and get the players who have been with the Texans over the last three years to buy into what is being built for the future. Only four current players, which include Howard, Laremy Tunsil, Jon Weeks, and Ka’imi Fairbairn, remain from the 2019 team.

Sunday’s victory over the Cardinals was the sixth win of the season and puts Houston just one game out of first place behind their next opponent and AFC South foe, Jacksonville Jaguars.

“It feels good,” said Howard about the team’s success throughout the first 11 weeks of the regular season. “We just have to keep stacking them [wins]. The energy of the crowd is great, but it feels great to be back to winning. We have to keep picking up on the little things we have to fix and keep this thing rolling.”

Howard wasn’t the only one smiling in the locker room on Sunday. Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, has seen a lot of dark days with the organization with the uncertainty of the direction the team was heading. With two more victories on the season, Collins would have surpassed the seven combined since he was drafted.

“It feels so good because we know the hard work and grind we are putting in that people don’t see,” said Collins, who finished the day with seven catches for 65 yards in the win. “To get this win, it feels good because we really needed it. I feel like it is building momentum for the next game and the game after that.”

“We are just building with each other and building chemistry and just bonding. I feel like that is playing a huge part on the field, and we are just going to continue to grow.”

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Texans vs. Panthers Thursday injury report: G-T Tytus Howard limited

The Houston Texans released their second injury report for Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers and G-T Tytus Howard was listed as limited.

The Houston Texans released their second injury report ahead of their Week 8 encounter with the Carolina Panthers Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Bank of America Stadium.

Receiver Robert Woods (foot) remained as a non-participant.

Guard-tackle Tytus Howard (knee/hand) was downgraded from a full participant to a limited participant on Thursday. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (knee) was upgraded to limited participation. Tight end Brevin Jordan (foot), defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (calf), and tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) remained limited.

Linebacker Blake Cashman (wrist), receiver Tank Dell (concussion), guard-tackle Josh Jones (hand), linebacker Denzel Perryman (hand), and cornerback Tavierre Thomas (hand) were full participants. Receiver Xavier Hutchinson (foot) was also upgraded to full participation.

For Carolina, tackle Taylor Moton did not participate in practice, but it was due to rest.

For more information on the Panthers’ injury report, check out the Panthers Wire.

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Texans inch to No. 16 in Pro Football Focus Week 6 offensive line rankings

The Houston Texans offensive line managed to take some territory near the top of Pro Football Focus’ power rankings.

One of the positives for the Houston Texans heading into 2023 was their offensive line. Regardless of whether C.J. Stroud won the quarterback battle with Davis Mills, the offense surely would benefit from having a blend of quality veterans at four of the five starting positions.

Injuries took their toll, and Houston slowly had to work from having just one intended starter in right guard Shaq Mason in Week 2 to a nearly restored Week 5 lineup that saw Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil return and right tackle Tytus Howard use his versatility to man left guard.

According to Zoltan Buday from Pro Football Focus, while the Texans gave away victory in their 21-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Oct. 8, Houston’s offensive line put together a noteworthy performance; something to build on in coming weeks.

The Texans’ offensive line recorded the highest pass-blocking efficiency rating in Week 5 after allowing just three pressures on 35 dropbacks.

Stroud completed 20 passes on 35 attempts for 249 yards and a touchdown despite Houston falling to 2-3 on the season. The Falcons landed just two quarterback hits, but weren’t able to drop the No. 2 overall pick for a sack. In fact, Stroud has not taken a sack since Week 2.

Where the Texans’ offensive line could stand to improve is in the run game. The Texans are tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the lowest yards per carry in the NFL at 3.0.

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Texans G-T Tytus Howard insists QB C.J. Stroud is not a rookie

Houston Texans guard-tackle Tytus Howard knows quarterback C.J. Stroud is a rookie, but his play indicates maturity.

C.J. Stroud has five games in his NFL career, barely a quarter of the way into his premiere season.

While everything de jure says Stroud is a rookie, Tytus Howard takes the de facto that the Houston Texans quarterback is not.

“He may be a rookie, but’s he’s not a rookie,” Howard told reporters following Houston’s 21-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Hardly any of the Texans’ third loss on the season can be pinned on Stroud. If anything, the No. 2 overall pick tried his hardest to deliver Houston victory. With 1:54 to go, Stroud connected with tight end Dalton Schultz on an 18-yard touchdown, capping off an 11-play, 75-yard drive. However, the defense couldn’t hold the Falcons, and Stroud left Mercedes-Benz Stadium getting robbed of a comeback thanks to a field goal.

The Texans’ field general extended is streak of pass attempts without an interception to start a career to 186.

“That guy’s special, so we follow him,” said Howard. “He leads us, and he is going to take us a long way.”

Where Stroud next leads the Texans is back home to NRG Stadium to host the New Orleans Saints Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. A win would improve Houston’s record to 3-3, a mark they have not achieved since 2018.

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Texans activate RT Tytus Howard and other roster moves for Week 5

The Houston Texans have activated right tackle Tytus Howard from injured reserve. See the other five moves the team made to get ready for Week 5.

The Houston Texans made six roster moves ahead of their Week 5 tilt with the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Houston at last activated right tackle Tytus Howard (fractured left hand) from injured reserve after a full week of practice. The Texans also activated punter Cam Johnston (calf).

The Texans declared cornerback D’Angelo Ross and linebacker Garret Wallow their standard elevations from the practice squad to the game day roster.

Given that defensive tackle Maliek Collins (abdomen) was on the team charter headed to Atlanta, even with a questionable designation, the club released defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth from the active roster, indicating Collins may be healthy enough to play.

Houston also signed defensive end Derek Rivers to the practice squad.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans leaves Tytus Howard injury timetable open ended

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans won’t be definite when it comes to the time table for injured right tackle Tytus Howard.

Reports are right tackle Tytus Howard will be out for six weeks with a broken hand, but DeMeco Ryans won’t commit to any particular time table.

The Houston Texans’ coach met with reporters Tuesday and would not get into specifics as to whether Howard would make his debut on time or delayed to Week 2.

“We’ll see,” Ryans said. “We will. I mean, we’re far away from the first game. There’s a lot of things that can happen — a lot of things can transpire from between now and the first game. We’ll take care of that once we get there.”

The first-year coach clarified that what captures his attention is the present: Houston’s preseason opener at the New England Patriots on Aug. 10 at Gillette Stadium.

“For right now, the focus for us is going out and playing a great game on Thursday night,” said Ryans. “That’s our focus. That’s where everything is — we want to see our guys go out and improve, get better and showcase all of the things they worked on here in training camp, OTAs. Can they go do it when the lights are on? And that’s what we want to see. That’s our main focus right now.”

Eventually Howard’s availability and solutions at right tackle will come into Ryans’ focus as time marches toward Sept. 10 and the Texans’ opener at the Baltimore Ravens.

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