Texans rookie guard Kenyon Green: ‘I’m making more progress’

This is a 2022 photo of Kenyon Green of the Houston Texans NFL football team. This image reflects the Houston Texans active roster as of Sunday, May 15, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo) (NFLPV-AP)

HOUSTON – Kenyon Green is learning on the job, adapting to the task of blocking disruptive and massive defensive tackles.

The Texans’ rookie left offensive guard and first-round draft pick has had his moments, especially as a run blocker, pulling and leading interference for running back Dameon Pierce, an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

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In pass protection, Green is experiencing growing pains. He has allowed two sacks, six hits, and 26 pressures and has a 27.6 pass-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

“It’s like my freshman year of college,” Green said. “I’m getting back to it, especially at a faster and more competitive level.”

The former Texas A&M consensus All-American and blue-chip recruit from Atascosita High School has continued to make progress and is encouraged by his improvement while squaring off against standout defensive linemen in recent weeks, including Tennessee Titans star Jeffery Simmons, one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Simmons repeatedly penetrated the backfield against Green and center Scott Quessenberry in a win over the Texans at NRG Stadium.

Green receives a lot of advice from veteran offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, who lines up next to him, right tackle Tytus Howard and right guard A.J. Green in addition to coaching from position coach George Warhop.

“Yes I do feel like I’m getting better,” Green said. “I’m making more progress. It takes a while, especially as a rookie. I have good players around me helping me out. I’m staying focused, staying on my Ps and Qs.

“It’s just the details and the technique and doing what you need to do to win battles every play. I’m trying to instill that more into my game and get better with my technique in general.”

Green recently had his No. 55 jersey retired Friday night during a halftime ceremony at his high school.

The former All-Southeastern Conference selection is a former Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year.

Green is the Texans’ starting left offensive guard. He has started seven of eight games for the 1-6-1 Texans. Green has appeared in 90 percent of the Texans’ offensive snaps this season.

Signed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $15.9 million contract that includes a fifth-year club option, Green (6-foot-4, 323 pounds) was a finalist for the Lombardi award for the Aggies before declaring early for the NFL draft.

The Texans are encouraged by Green’s upside.

“Yeah, trending for a young player,” Texans coach Lovie Smith said. “As we talk about where the good interior lineman is, it’s Kenyon. About the best of the defensive lineman each week, they’re at his position. When you’re a young football player, having to go against guys like that, speeds up the process an awful lot.

“He has shown up every day, coming to practice, getting better, and learning from playing against great players like that. This week will be no different. It seems like each week, there are excellent defensive linemen you play against.”

Where Green has had some success lately is pulling on running plays to clear a pathway for Pierce.

“I’ve been doing that since college,” Green said. “It comes naturally for me when we started doing more pull plays.”

Green will face one of the biggest and best defensive linemen in the NFL on Sunday in a road game against the New York Giants. Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence (6-foot-4, 342 pounds) is a former first-round draft pick from Clemson who leads the Giants’ aggressive defense with four sacks and has 13 sacks for his career. He has 11 quarterback hits and one forced fumble this season.

“It’s a blessing being able to go out here and compete with the best,” Green said. “I wouldn’t ask for it any other way.”


Aaron Wilson is a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com


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