Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green didn’t start the game against the Indianapolis Colts, but the Texas A&M product managed to play more snaps than starter Justin McCray and earn some distinction in the process.
According to Josh Edwards from CBS Sports, Green was the best rookie from the first week of the 2022 NFL season.
Green is one of three Texans on the list. A year ago, there were obvious Rookie of the Year candidates early in the season but this year feels much more wide open. No one separated themselves from the rest and everyone is now fishing in the same pond.
McCray got the start at left guard over the first-round offensive lineman, but Green managed to outplay the veteran by the time the 70-minute game ended in a 20-20 tie at NRG Stadium. Green had 38 offensive snaps compared to McCray’s 32.
According to coach Lovie Smith, Green managed to get better as the game went along.
“What we saw was improvement as he played,” Smith told reporters Sept. 12. “He did some good things yesterday. We’ve gotten that first game out of the way too with him. Kenyon is going to play more and more. We don’t go into starting lineups this early in the week, of course. I liked a lot of the things he did yesterday.”
Green could actually earn a starting role as the Texans prepare for the Denver Broncos, who they face at 3:25 p.m. Central Time Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
The other two Texans on the list were cornerback Derek Stingley (No. 3) and safety Jalen Pitre (No. 11).
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