Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has been pleased with offensive lineman Kenyon Green’s rehabilitation process entering voluntary offseason workouts.
Still, Green will have to earn his spot in the starting lineup entering a pivotal year in his career.
“He has an opportunity in front of him,” Caserio said Thursday at his pre-draft press conference. “Ultimately, it’s going to come down to the player and how well they perform.”
#Texans GM Nick Caserio says former first-round pick Kenyon Green is working back to full speed.
“KG is a good kid. he'll have a full offseason, which he hasn't had. Nobody is guaranteed anything . Ultimately, it's going to come down to how he performs on the field."
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) April 18, 2024
Green, Houston’s second first-round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, has been hindered by injuries since being selected out of Texas A&M 15th overall. He was absent at the beginning of training camp due to a concussion and missed two games due to a knee injury late during his rookie season.
He was expected to start at left guard last season next to All-Pro Laremy Tunsuil before a shoulder injury suffered in Houston’s final preseason game against New Orleans landed him on the season-ending injured reserve.
A two-time All-American with the Aggies, Green played in 15 games with 14 starts as a rookie. He improved as a run blocker toward the season’s end, but struggled in pass protection, allowing four sacks and 15 quarterback hits.
“KG’s a good kid,” said Caserio. “He’ll have a full offseason, which is something he hasn’t had. We’ll see how it goes here. He certainly has an opportunity in front of him, but nobody is guaranteed anything. It’s going to come down to how you perform when you’re on the field.”
Left guard was a weak point for Houston’s trench play protecting Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud en route to a division title, not just because of on-field reps, but also injury.
Kendrick Green started the first three games before suffering a season-ending meniscus injury in his right knee. Tytus Howard shifted inside from right tackle before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Jacksonville in Week 12.
Rookie Juice Scruggs, a center by trade, started the final eight games, including the playoffs, while Michael Dieter remained a center. With Dieter leaving in free agency, Scruggs is expected to move back to center and compete with fellow 2023 draftee Jarrett Patterson for first-team reps.
Houston would love to have a healthy Green. He’s a former first-round pick and a potential building block to a revamped offense that added Pro Bowlers Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs this offseason. Everything, however, has to be earned entering Year 3.
Demeco seems to optimistic about the offensive line next year and Kenyon Green pic.twitter.com/t1KlIvH2Qf
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) April 15, 2024
Green still could be an essential part of the Texans’ long-term plans, but he’ll have to prove his value starting in voluntary workouts this week.
“I don’t think he has had that opportunity fully, so I’m excited to see Kenyon perform,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “He’s been working out. He’s been consistent every day. He’s been putting the work in throughout the offseason, so I’m excited for him.”