(SportsRadio 610) - The last thing a rookie quarterback needs is an injury-plagued offensive line with more questions than answers, but that's the predicament C.J. Stroud is facing going into the first start of his career at Baltimore.
Stroud may have to call Patrick Mahomes for some State Farm injury protection because of issues in his offensive line that have become a perennial problem created by injuries, ineptness and a revolving door for coaches.
With the opener against the Ravens on Sept. 10, only two positions are set – left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right guard Shaq Mason.
Chris Strausser, the fourth line coach in four years, needs to be a miracle-worker because the Texans have problems at left guard, right tackle and center as they prepare for one of their toughest games of the season against a team that could compete for the Super Bowl.
Left guard Kenyon Green was placed on injured reserve. Michael Deiter, the player who played in Green's place the most during the offseason program and preseason, was released. Strausser needs a new left guard.
Right tackle Tytus Howard, who underwent surgery to repair a broken hand in early August, may not be able to return by the Baltimore game. Rookie center Juice Scruggs, who replaced the injured Scott Quessenberry, is out with a hamstring injury.
Strausser is looking for volunteers to line up against the Ravens.
After general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans reduced the roster to 53 by the Tuesday deadline, they continued to make moves on the waiver wire, trades and free agent signings in an attempt to plug holes in the offensive line the size of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.
The biggest story involved Green, the 15th pick in the first round of the 2022 draft. He's done for the year. After recovering from knee surgery during the offseason, he's already undergone shoulder surgery and will spend his second season on injured reserve with an eye on returning in 2024.
"Specific to Kenyon, it was just a matter of when, not if, this was going to happen," Caserio said Wednesday. "We knew in May this was a possibility, and to his credit, he worked through it and did the best he could with the situation he was given.
"In the end, we felt for the betterment of the team and the player this was the best decision. (He'll) get ready for the 2024 season, and the train keeps moving. It's unfortunate (but) that's the NFL. Nobody's going to feel sorry for where you are as a team."
Green, who also has been dealing with undisclosed personal issues, aggravated his shoulder injury during the last preseason victory at New Orleans and underwent surgery.
"DeMeco made a comment the other day (saying) he's proud of the player for the mental and physical toughness that he showed," Caserio said. "I think he was dealing with a lot of things physically (and) he was dealing with some things I would say on a personal level, as well.
"At some point, if a player is in a position (where) his condition or situation puts him at a disadvantage, it's not fair to the player (and) it's not fair to the team (to keep playing). The big thing is to get ready for next year. Get healthy and get ready for whenever the offseason program starts."
If Green returns next season and comes close to fulfilling the promise he showed when the Texans made him the 15th overall pick coming out of Texas A&M, he'll be like having another high draft choice for Ryans' second season.
"(I'm) proud of Kenyon and the things he fought through (during) a difficult training camp for him," Ryans said. "Physically, having a lot going on and to go through a hard training camp, credit to him. He went out every day at camp and pushed through a lot of things. He'll bounce back. I'm just hoping for Kenyon to take care of himself (and) get himself ready to go next year."
Compounding the problem is that Charlie Heck, who would have been the swing tackle starting in Howard's place, was placed on physically unable to perform, which means he'll have to miss a minimum of four games. There's no guarantee he'll play this season.
So far, three veteran offensive linemen have come through that revolving door at NRG Stadium. The Texans traded for Arizona's Josh Jones and Pittsburgh's Kendrick Green and claimed Buffalo's Nick Broeker on waivers. Jones has played both tackle positions and right guard. Green started at center as a rookie, moved to guard last season and was inactive for every game. Broeker is a center who was a seventh-round pick last year.
"Relative to the offensive line, I'd say this year is probably unlike any I've been a part of," Caserio said. "When you go back and look at when we started, maybe the spring – Charlie was a part of it. (Quessenberry] was a part of it, and then we drafted Juice and had some other players.
"We lost players and lost our depth. Our job is to fix problems and find solutions and do what we feel makes the most sense for the team. Sometimes you have to react to the circumstances in front of you, and that's what we try to do."
It would make a big difference if Howard can return for the Baltimore game, but he won't be rushed. Caserio didn't sound too optimistic. That means George Fant, signed during training camp, would continue to start at right tackle.
"I think it's probably TBD," Caserio said about Howard's availability for the Ravens. "I think as we get to next week, we'll have a better idea. I would expect to see Tytus at some point."
Yikes! That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Asked who'll start at left guard, Caserio said, "I think we're working through that process, and we'll have a better idea once we start to get ready for Baltimore. (We'll) try to put the best five out there that give us the best chance."
Despite so many moving parts up front, Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are going to insist on trying to have a consistently productive running game against the Ravens. That starts with Dameon Pierce and includes Devin Singletary and perhaps Mike Boone, one of the camp and preseason stars.
"It's definitely changed up front, and we're making all the necessary adjustments and additions we need," Ryans said. "I feel like we still have a good group. We have new pieces up front, and we have to come together quickly. I feel good about the additions -- guys who have experience and can step in and get the job done. Everyone has to do their job and do it as well as they can do it, and that's all we can ask for."
The most crucial goal against the Ravens is to keep Stroud upright. That means a heavy emphasis on the run and a lot of short drops and quick passes.
"The offensive line is important, no matter who's playing quarterback," Ryans said. "We have C.J., a young quarterback (and) you want to make sure he has great protection up front. It'll always be a high priority. That's how you win. It starts up front, and that'll never change."
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and before every practice during training camp on Texans Radio. He also writes three columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.
