Texans linebacker Jacob Phillips was expected to be a staple in coverage after helping LSU hoist its first national title in over a decade during the 2019 season.
He just wasn’t supposed to pop in Houston.
Phillips, a third-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, has been effective when healthy, especially as a third linebacker in coverage. Therein lies the keyword: healthy.
After a promising rookie that saw him finish with 25 tackles, he’s missed over 30 games the past three years, including the entire 2023 season. Despite the injury bug, Houston elected to bet on the upside by offering a one-year deal.
Through four training camp practices, the gamble has paid off.
Phillips has looked fluid in coverage, mainly when tasked to face off against running backs. During 11-on-11 drills Saturday, he picked off a pass intended for J.J. Taylor out of the backfield.
Jacob Phillips makes a really nice PBU in the flats against the RB.#Texans need another LB for sub packages. He’s on a short list of standouts outside of Azeez.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) July 22, 2024
On Monday, Davis Mills tried to find rookie Jawhar Jordan out in the flats. Phillips extended his body to get a finger on the ball for a deflection.
From a play-style standpoint, Phillips has lived up to expectations, but the best ability is availability. He finished the 2022 season on the injured reserve with a torn pec suffered against Washington. During the preseason last year, a similar muscle torn again.
“It’s the worst part of this game, seeing guys get injured and especially you see how hard they work,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said last August. “So it hurts. I hurt for Jacob, and this is why we’re teammates and why we support each other.”
The Texans are currently without third-year starter Chrisitan Harris, who’s dealing with soft tissue damage in his leg. He’s not expected to miss much time, but Houston might want to ease him up to the speed so a second injury doesn’t occur.
Phillips, for now, continues to work with the second-team unit while former Alabama standout Herny To’oTo’o replaces Harris opposite Azeez Al-Shaair. That doesn’t mean with a few more extra practices he won’t eventually take off.