Despite the win against the Chargers, the Texans did not run the ball as effectively as they had in previous weeks.
Both running backs are late additions to the team, but Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson have been a bright spot for Houston. They made plays in the season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints and were productive in the home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But against the Chargers, the pair had just 21 yards on 12 carries combined.
“This game, again, it’s going to be tough sledding,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said Wednesday. “We’re going to have to do a good job with our practices and our teaching and our scheme. They have a lot of good players up front. It’s hard to run the ball in the NFL. It really is. We did a good job of it the first two weeks. It wasn’t as good last week and we’ve got to get that back to where it should be, more balanced than it was last week.”
The Texans offensive line also changed for a third consecutive time when they faced the Chargers. That is not expected to happen again, but it’s hard to rule out the possibility.
If there’s no change, it would be the first time this season the Texans started the same offensive line in back-to-back weeks.
O’Brien has been complimentary of the offensive line’s development and improvement. Laremy Tunsil is leading by example at left tackle, O’Brien said.
Rookie first round pick Tytus Howard sat out the Saints game with broken finger, started at left guard against the Jaguars then moved over to right tackle against the Chargers.
Rookie second round lineman Max Scharping made his debut at left guard Sunday against the Chargers.