The Houston Texans faced a dilemma when inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
The Pro Bowler’s last game was Week 4 versus the Minnesota Vikings, and the defense would be losing one of its leaders as he placed on injured reserve.
However, reserve inside linebacker Tyrell Adams has stepped up and provided the Texans’ defense with the necessary communication and playmaking to keep the operation running smoothly.
“I’m so incredibly proud of Tyrell,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “Since B-Mac has gone down and he’s stepped into that role, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
Playing alongside inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, Adams has taken on a communication role, getting players in the right positions and relaying calls from the sideline.
“We’ve asked him to be the primary communicator out there, be loud, be vocal, be confident and communicate everything to both the front of the defense, the front seven and the back end,” said Weaver. “He’s done that and he’s also been incredibly productive in doing so.”
Adams has collected 79 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups in his 11 games, seven of which he has started.
The results aren’t surprising to Weaver.
Said Weaver: “I’d like to say I was shocked and surprised but for all the people that have been around here and seen the way he’s worked the past few years that he’s been here, it’s really not surprising. We expected him to come in here and there to be no drop off. I’m just incredibly proud of him that he’s been able to have these moments.”
Adams could have a couple more moments to make Weaver proud as the Texans face the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.