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Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard saw 57 snaps in the Houston Texans’ 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, and the third-round rookie may see a significant number against the Cleveland Browns.
Though outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has come off the COVID-19 reserve, fellow outside linebacker Jacob Martin has not. Furthermore, veteran Brennan Scarlett is on injured reserve with a fractured forearm. As a result, there is an opening for Greenard to still make an impact on the game day roster.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver characterized Greenard’s performance against the Jaguars as both “good and bad.”
“There was good and bad, like there always is with every rookie,” Weaver said. “But Jon is a ball guy. He loves the sport. He’s passionate about it. He puts in the work, so that experience is going to be good for him. He’s only going to grow and improve as he continues to get more reps.”
After getting five defensive reps in Week 4, Greenard saw two in Week 5, none in Week 6, four in Week 7, and then 57, representing 83% of the defense’s snaps, in Week 9. Greenard collected three combined tackles in the win that inched Houston to 2-6 on the season.
“We’re confident in him and what he did was a normal rookie game,” Weaver said. “But you saw flashes of his potential and what he can be.”