(SportsRadio 610) - Texans rookie offensive lineman Kenyon Green made his pro debut Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers as the Texans improved to a perfect 3-0 mark, with a 17-0 victory to wrap up their preseason schedule.
After being selected 15th overall in the first round earlier this year, the standout from Atascocita and Texas A&M had been chomping at the bit to get his first taste of NFL action.
"It felt good, it was a blessing being out there," Green said. "Playing for the hometown team and everything, so I’m happy I can be out there and happy I can contribute to my team."
Green entered the game at left guard for Justin McCray before the Texans' fourth offensive series in the first half and settled in quickly.
They used him to pull quite a bit and he looked extremely comfortable. He was fast getting to the second level, executing his run blocking assignments to near perfection.
Green's ability to use his powerful lower half and move so well laterally got him to the second level a number of times to block linebackers and create good running lanes.
Green said he thought he did well considering he missed valuable reps this preseason, missing time due to a concussion he suffered in practice earlier this camp.
“I felt like I did pretty good,” Green said. “I’m just trying to take it day by day and get better and I felt like I did that, especially having Tytus (Howard) and JB (Justin Britt) and Laremy (Tunsil) helping me out and everything so I feel like I’m doing pretty good with that.”
It’s easy to imagine what the line could become for this Pep Hamilton offense with rookie running back Dameon Pierce continuing to impress every time he touches the ball, especially when Tunsil and Britt are bookending Green on the left side of the line.
However, it remains to be seen if in fact Green will start the season at left guard. Veteran lineman Justin McCray started Thursday and had seen plenty of reps on the left side this preseason with Green out.
The rookie may need more seasoning before he gets to start.
Green said it doesn’t matter to him at this point where he’s at on the depth chart, so long as he can contribute.
“I’m just focused on getting better and wherever my team needs me to play, whether that’s second string or starter, I’m there,” Green said.
Head coach Lovie Smith said he can’t wait to see the game film of Green, but was impressed with some things he noticed from the rookie in his pro debut Thursday night.
“The plays I did see … there’s a reason why we drafted him in the first round," Smith said. "He’s a good football player. I thought he did some good things out there, but he’s capable of that. Eventually, Kenyon will be in then lineup, LT (Tunsil) will be back out there, Justin Britt will be there, AJ Cann and of course Tytus Howard. I like what the offensive line has done but can’t wait to see our starting group to start playing together."
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.