Tag: Tytus Howard

2019 Texans position review: Offensive line

The Houston Texans’ 2019 season is over. Despite not reaching their goals, they enjoyed a good season, in which they saw their offensive line grow.

The Houston Texans’ season is over. After finishing 10-6, they found themselves in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, only to lose a 24-0 lead to the Kansas City Chiefs, who moved on by winning in 51-31 fashion.

The offensive line held the Houston Texans back in 2019. In his second season in the NFL, Deshaun Watson took 62 sacks behind 2019’s line. That wasn’t going to cut it.

The Texans knew that. They went out and spend a staggering three first-round picks and two second-round picks on their offensive line in the offseason; trading for Laremy Tunsil and drafting Tytus Howard and Max Scharping.

Houston’s big-spending paid off. Tunsil, their starting left tackle, went to the Pro Bowl in his first season as a Texan. At 25 years old, he stands as one of the NFL’s most promising linemen and will earn a big extension soon. He is worth the money and draft capital spent on him.

As for Howard and Scharping, the two were instant starters on the Texans’ offensive line.

While the Texans found a mainstay at left tackle, they found the same on the right side. Though he started just seven games at right tackle, Howard, Houston’s first-round pick, shined at the position before suffering a torn MCL.

Howard was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s annual all-rookie team for his efforts.

Scharping started 14 games at left guard and showed little signs of giving that position up in 2020. The second-round pick shined in his rookie season, as he allowed just three sacks, per Pro Football Focus. Alongside Tunsil, the Texans have their left-side of their line locked down for the foreseeable future.

The center and right guard positions did not change from 2018 to 2019. The Texans extended their center Nick Martin to a three-year, $33 million deal. He responded with a career year.

Despite missing much of training camp, Martin started all 16 games at center. He allowed just two sacks on the season, per PFF, and finished seventh in the NFL (for centers) in Pass Block Win Rate, per ESPN. At 26 years old, he appears to be another building block for the Texans.

The right guard is the Texans’ weakest position on their full offensive line. In his second year as a Texan, Zach Fulton regressed. PFF graded him at a lowly 52.2. In the second half of the season, Houston often substituted Fulton for backup Greg Mancz due to play.

As for the backups, the Texans saw Chris Clark and Roderick Johnson split snaps at right tackle after Howard went to the injured reserve. Both struggled at the position; with Johnson seeing snaps as a run blocker and Clark as a pass protector. Mancz played sparingly in-place of Fulton.

Heading into the 2020 offseason, the Texans should look into adding competition at the right guard position. A veteran swing tackle could do them well to sit behind Tunsil and Howard too. However, the offensive line is not the top priority as it once was, thanks to a busy offseason in 2019.

Tytus Howard gives the Texans a bright future at offensive line

Former 2019 first-round pick Tytus Howard gives the Houston Texans a bright future along the offensive line.

The Houston Texans used their 23rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft to find an edge protector for quarterback Deshaun Watson in Alabama State’s Tytus Howard.

The former SWAC player only played eight games of his rookie season, starting in all them, but he made an instant impression that he could be an upgrade at right tackle the club desperately needed.

“Tytus had a really good rookie year,” coach Bill O’Brien told reporters Monday. “The guy was really playing well for us. Very tough, very physical, very athletic, great guy, great teammate.”

Howard missed the first game of the regular season with a broken hand sustained in preseason, but he was ready to go for Week 2’s game with the Jacksonville Jaguars. What truly derailed Howard’s rookie season was in Week 6 when he sprained his MCL and had to be carted off the field at Arrowhead Stadium during the Texans’ 31-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He was injured in the Kansas City game in October, and it was a tough injury,” said O’Brien. “He tried to come back, he played with it, and then we decided to shut him down because it wasn’t going to be good for him. It was better for him to begin that rehab process and all those things.”

After missing Week 7 at the Indianapolis Colts and Week 8 versus the Oakland Raiders, Howard returned in London in the rematch with the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. After a bye week, the rookie managed to play the next two games at the Baltimore Ravens and versus the Indianapolis Colts on a Thursday night before the club placed Howard on injured reserve on Nov. 30, the day before their Week 13 Sunday night showdown with the New England Patriots.

“He’s got a really bright future,” said O’Brien.

Howard is part of a youth movement on the offensive line. The Texans also spent a second-round pick on guard-tackle Max Scharping, who started 14 games for the Texans at left guard.

Texans OT Tytus Howard makes PFWA All-Rookie team

Houston Texans rookie offensive lineman Tytus Howard made the PFWA’s All-Rookie team, the sportswriting organization announced Tuesday.

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard made the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2019 All-Rookie Team, the sportswriting organization announced Tuesday.

The 2019 first-round pick from Alabama State played in eight games for Houston, starting in all of them, and was a key part of getting the Texans’ offensive line turned around. Going from a unit that allowed quarterback Deshaun Watson to be sacked a league-leading 62 times in 2018, the addition of Howard helped drop Watson’s sacks down to 44 on the season.

Howard also cleared the way for running back Carlos Hyde to produce his first 1,000-yard season of his six-year career with 1,070 yards and six touchdowns on 245 carries.

The 6-5, 322-pound offensive lineman was placed in injured reserve on Nov. 30, a day before the Texans beat the New England Patriots 28-22 on Sunday Night Football for their biggest win of the regular season. Howard sustained an MCL sprain in Week 6’s 31-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that he couldn’t shake off. Despite missing the next two games and returning for Week 9’s 26-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, the injury was too much for him to battle through and he only played two more games thereafter.

Texans OT Tytus Howard lands on NFL.com’s 2019 all rookie team

Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard earned a spot on NFL.com’s 2019 all rookie team.

Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard’s season may be over after just eight games, but the first-round pick from Alabama State was impressive enough to earn a spot on an all rookie team

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Howard and Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor were exemplary enough to claim spots on their 2019 all rookie team.

Veteran pass rushers began the season taking advantage of Taylor as a Day 1 starter, but he hasn’t been charged with a sack since Week 6. The second-round pick joins guard Andrew Norwell as the only Jaguars to play every snap this season. Billed as a high-upside project out of Alabama State, Howard ended up solving Houston’s long-standing problem at right tackle before an MCL tear ended his season last week. Fellow first-round picks Andre Dillard and Kaleb McGary have disappointed in Philadelphia and Atlanta, respectively.

What helped Howard was being able to man the right tackle spot after the club traded for Laremy Tunsil on Aug. 31. With a proven veteran protecting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s blindside as opposed to Howard, it allowed the rookie to grow into his role as an edge protector and ease into the pro game.

A knee injury knocked Howard out of the Texans’ 31-24 Week 6 win at the Kansas City Chiefs. The 6-5, 322-pound tackle returned in Week 9 in London as the Texans beat the Jaguars 26-3. Ahead of the Texans’ 28-22 win over the New England Patriots in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football, Houston placed Howard on injured reserve because of that knee injury. Howard has since had knee surgery, and he is expected to be good to go once the Texans commence their nine-week offseason program in April.

Report: Texans OT Tytus Howard undergoes successful right knee surgery

Houston Texans rookie right tackle Tytus Howard had successful knee surgery and should be ready for the club’s offseason program.

The road to recovery is off to a good start for Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the first-round pick from Alabama State had successful surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. As such, the 6-5, 322-pound offensive lineman will be on track to participate in the team’s offseason program.

Howard started eight games for the Texans, but dealt with injuries throughout the season. In preseason, Howard broke his hand and it kept him out of the club’s season opener at the New Orleans Saints.

In Week 6 at the Kansas City Chiefs, Howard sustained an MCL sprain that knocked him out for the next two games until he returned in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

On Nov. 30, a day before the Texans hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium in an eventual 28-22 win, the club placed Howard on injured reserve, ending his rookie campaign.

In the absence of Howard, the Texans plan to rotate Chris Clark and Roderick Johnson at right tackle.

Why did the Texans place OT Tytus Howard on injured reserve?

The Houston Texans placed offensive tackle Tytus Howard on the injured reserve on Saturday. Why did they do so, and how much will they miss him?

On Saturday, Tytus Howard’s injury designation for the Houston Texans’ eventual 28-22 win over the New England Patriots went from “doubtful” to “out” as the Texans placed the rookie offensive tackle on injured reserve.

Howard, a first-round selection out of Alabama State, suffered a partially torn MCL in Week 6’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Three weeks later, he returned for a Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

Howard started two games at right tackle before he landed back on the injury report as doubtful with a knee injury, presumably the same (left) one from earlier in the season.

“I would just say that we thought it was in the best interest — relative to what he was able to do, where he was at with his knee, it was in the best interest of him to move in that direction,” said coach Bill O’Brien on Monday.

Howard played eight games before his placement on the injured reserve, starting all but one at right tackle. He allowed two sacks in 488 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Texans were 6-2 with him in the lineup.

“I thought he had some good moments this year. He’s a great guy. We’re certainly glad to have him,” said O’Brien. “He’s tough, he’s got great energy, he’s got a really good personality, good teammate. So, I think there are a lot of things he did well and there’s a lot of things that he’d be the first to tell you that he can improve upon, but there’s a lot to build on.”

Ultimately, the Texans chose to rest him up for the betterment of his future. Instead of starting first-round picks at both tackle positions, the team will play one of Chirs Clark and Roderick Johnson, who split snaps in Sunday night’s win over the Patriots.

Texans RT Tytus Howard placed on season-ending injured reserve

The Houston Texans suffered a blow to their offensive line on Saturday, as they announced right tackle Tytus Howard will be placed on injured reserve.

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard has gone from doubtful to officially out for Sunday’s bout with the New England Patriots.

On Saturday, the Texans placed the 2019 first-round pick on injured reserve.

The No. 23 pick from Alabama State, Howard suffered a partially torn MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. He returned in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, only to see his season ended before Week 13.

Howard practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week before Houston dubbed him “doubtful” for Sunday Night Football.

Before his placement on the injured reserve, Howard had performed admirably as the starting right tackle. In eight games (all starts), he has allowed two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Backups Roderick Johnson and Chris Clark are candidates to start in his place. Johnson, 24, has started two games at the position. Clark, 34, was signed after Howard’s injury in Week 6. He has started two games on the season.

Johnson and Clark split snaps at left during in the wake of Laremy Tunsil’s Week 9 out designation for a shoulder injury. Each played 34 (50%) snaps in the win, with Clark earning the start.

The Texans have been clamoring for continuity at offensive line. The hope was that Howard would join (left to right) Laremy Tunsil, Max Scharping, Nick Martin and Zach Fulton to give Deshaun Watson a complete grouping heading into December football.

“Any time you can have (Laremy) Tunsil and (Tytus) Howard at tackle, and (Max) Scharping and (Zach) Fulton at guard, Nick Martin at center, that’s a pretty good group and that’s good continuity. So, hopefully we can have that this week,” said Bill O’Brien on Nov. 11.

That continuity will be no more. Instead, the Texans will hope to field a line with a backup at right tackle while attempting to lure themselves back into contender status.

Texans-Patriots Friday injury report: Tytus Howard doubtful

The Houston Texans released their injury report ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the New England Patriots, and RT Tytus Howard is doubtful.

The Houston Texans released their final injury report of Week 13 as they prepare for the New England Patriots Sunday night at 7:20 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

Houston may have to find other solutions at right tackle as rookie Tytus Howard is listed as doubtful with a knee injury.

The Texans had more participation from receiver Will Fuller (hamstring), cornerback Lonnie Johnson (ankle), and cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring).

Full participant

DE Carlos Watkins (hamstring) ⁠— OUT

Limited participant
DE Angelo Blackson Shoulder QUESTIONABLE
CB Gareon Conley Hip QUESTIONABLE
G/T Tytus Howard Knee DOUBTFUL
OLB Brennan Scarlett Shoulder QUESTIONABLE
Full participant
S Mike Adams Concussion
S Justin Reid Concussion
CB Bradley Roby Hamstring
CB Lonnie Johnson Ankle
WR Will Fuller Hamstring

For the Patriots, TE Ryan Izzo is out with an illness, and he did not participate in Friday’s practice. LB Kyle Van Noy was listed as questionable, and he also did not participate in Friday’s practice.

New England had 16 players listed as questionable.

Quarterback Tom Brady was upgraded to a full participant with an elbow injury, and he does not have a designation for Sunday night.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien excited to regain offensive line continuity

Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is excited for the return of Laremy Tunsil, who will give the offensive line continuity moving forward.

The Houston Texans, after much trial and error, have their offensive line.

A five-man unit of (left to right) Laremy Tunsil, Max Scharping, Nick Martin, Zach Fulton and Tytus Howard has given Houston its best blocking unit in eons. The problem: The quintuplet has struggled to stay together.

With Tunsil, Howard and Fulton each missing at least one start in 2019, the entirety of the unit has just 176 snaps together. In those snaps — worth two games and a half — they have allowed two sacks to Deshaun Watson.

As benefactors of the Week 10 bye, Houston won’t just have 176 snaps logged onto their rebuilt offensive line. Tunsil, who missed Week 9 (shoulder), is expected to come back for Week 11’s tilt with the Baltimore Ravens. Howard (partially torn MCL) returned in Week 9.

“I think any time you can have continuity up front, I mean, obviously that’s a good thing,” said coach Bill O’Brien on Monday. You don’t want to have guys moving in and out based on injuries. You really don’t want that, but sometimes, obviously, that happens and you have to deal with it like any other teams does.”

Houston recently employed the help of Roderick Johnson and Chris Clark to negate the injuries to Tunsil and Howard. That will no longer be the case for the Texans. O’Brien is giddy to get the offensive line he and former General Manager Brian Gaine slaved over to create.

“Any time you can have (Laremy) Tunsil and (Tytus) Howard at tackle, and (Max) Scharping and (Zach) Fulton at guard, Nick Martin at center, that’s a pretty good group and that’s good continuity,” O’Brien continued. “So, hopefully we can have that this week.”

Despite the never-ending rotation of players, the Texans offensive line has produced in 2019. Houston is eighth in the NFL in ESPN‘s Pass Block Win Rate (61%), 11th in adjusted line yards (4.37) and ninth in run-stuffed rate, per Football Outsiders.

The Texans’ offensive line should be together for their fourth start as a cohesive unit on Sunday. From there, the only place to go for Tunsil, Scharping, Martin, Fulton and Howard is up.