Week 1 is a consequential time for the 2022 rookie class.
The newcomers will get a chance to log their first NFL action, which typically comes with a rude awakening as the regular season is more intense than the preseason.
For Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith, he will have his 12th season of introducing rookies to pro football, but he acknowledged to reporters Wednesday that the process didn’t just begin with Week 1 preparations.
“It just doesn’t start right now,” said Smith. “We’ve been prepping the guys for this week for forever. First day, first meeting we got together and I talked to the team about who we need to catch in our division. To be able to play a team that dominated us, if that can’t get you motivated, what can?”
The Texans have a strong rookie class with twin first-rounders in cornerback Derek Stingley and guard Kenyon Green. The secondary gets another boost with second-round safety Jalen Pitre. Fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce is set to make his first career start as he took the reins as the Texans’ feature back throughout preseason.
What Smith needs from the rookies is to help the team play better than they did a year ago.
Said Smith: “A lot of that is we didn’t play our best ball. They were on and we didn’t play our best ball. All we’re trying to do is play the best version of ourselves. That’s what we want to show our fans this weekend.”
The Texans will get a chance Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time when they take on the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Houston is 2-0 all-time against the Colts on Opening Day.