Got a question about the Texans? Life in general? Drew Dougherty's your guy. He's been with the Texans since 2009 and is chock full of meaningful, as well as generally useless, information. Fire away by clicking HERE!
James Broderick: Dear Drew, Could you give me an update on OL Charlie Heck, DL Jon Greenard and DL Ross Blacklock? With Greenard, I'd like to know about his ankle. With the others, I'd like to know about their performance throughout the off-season.
DD: Before he was placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday, Heck was on track to start at right tackle this Sunday against the Jaguars. He was the starter at that spot in all three preseason games and also started there in Week 17 last year against the Titans. Over the offseason, he focused on gaining lean mass and getting stronger. Head Coach David Culley said Heck is one of the most improved players on the squad. He'll be challenged, though, by Marcus Cannon, who's begun practicing again.
Greenard is still coming back from a sprained ankle, he suffered in the preseason opener at Green Bay. Prior to that injury, he was looking good. He had a strip-sack in that win over the Packers and had done a nice job in the early stages of Training Camp. He was at Monday's walkthrough inside NRG Stadium, so it's a "we'll see" if he's able to get ready enough for gameday against the Jaguars later this week.
As for Blacklock, he's been in the mix and seems to be taking positive steps in year 2. He's part of a defensive front that really shined during the preseason.
For all three, I think the arrow is pointing up.
Chris McDowell: Dear Drew, Since he's on the 53-man roster, is there a chance Deshaun Watson plays this season?
DD: Sure, there's a chance. But it's a very slim one, and I doubt we'll see him under center in Houston this year. Tyrod Taylor's the starter at quarterback and Davis Mills is the backup. Watson's not practiced with his teammates in quite some time.
Derwin Jordan: Dear Drew, What do you think will be the biggest difference, outside of a new offensive line coach, to our offensive line this year?
DD: The four faces to the right of Laremy Tunsil. The Pro Bowler is back at left tackle, but the two guards, center, and right tackle will all have a new starter there compared to Week 1 of last season. Now, Tytus Howard and Max Scharping have started plenty for this line, but they've done so at different spots. Howard's moving inside to left guard from right tackle, while Scharping is switching from left guard to right guard. Center Justin Britt has looked the part since taking over this offseason, and I think we can expect good things from the veteran. Heck and Cannon will be the guys at right tackle.
David Valdillez: Dear Drew, Are they going to let the rodeo happen at NRG?
DD: Yes. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled to go from February 28 to March 20 of 2022. More info is HERE. I've really missed the rodeo experience the last two years.
Fred Gonzalez: Dear Drew, What rotation of players are the Texans going to have at running back?
DD: Great question, Fred, because there are five currently on the 53-man roster. Culley said earlier today the Texans won't take all five into the game. But if the rotation we saw in the last two preseason games holds, you'll likely see a lot of Mark Ingram and Phillp Lindsay. Culley was very complimentary of Scottie Phillips, too, though. He pointed out how Phillips was able to get yards regardless of who he faced during the preseason games.
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