Texans guard Kenyon Green impresses DeMeco Ryans ‘Changed his body, looking good, looking lean, see a more athletic guy’

HOUSTON – Kenyon Green is a new man.

The Texans’ third-year offensive guard has transformed his body through a stricter diet and diligent workout regimen, losing a significant amount of body weight with a noticeably leaner physique than he had during his first two NFL seasons. After battling injuries and conditioning issues, Green has pivoted in a major way and is a strong contender for the starting left guard position.

While the former first-round draft pick, consensus Texas A&M All-American and former blue-chip recruit from Atascosita High School will face competition from Kendrick Green and Jarrett Patterson, he has reversed the direction of his career and has a legitimate chance to become a starter again after missing all of last season with a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery.

“With Kenyon, first off, credit to him for the work that he has done,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He has changed his body. He is looking good, looking lean. He is able to move better, and I see a more athletic guy. I see a guy that has actually been able to stay on the field and I think that has been the main thing for Kenyon and just availability.

“The ball is the ball, and he will continue to improve and get better at in those regards, but, for him, the main thing is him just being healthy and being on the field and giving himself a chance to compete. The work that he has done in the off season, he has given himself that chance and he will continue to build off of that and come back in camp ready to roll.”

Hard luck and injuries defined the first two NFL seasons for Green.

Now, Green is on an upward tend after dealing with lot of growing pains as a rookie.

Green was noticeably leaner and appeared quicker with more energy during a minicamp.

He was around the Texans’ training facility constantly while rehabbing his shoulder.

“Seeing Kenyon around the building, some guys when they get injured it is easy to lose sight of what is going on but he was still around with the meetings and when I see him, I just always try to encourage him, like I do all players,” Ryans said. “I think we all need that encouragement, especially when you are on IR, it is lonely at times. It is a difficult time when you re going through an injury, everybody else is out at practice and you are going home that is a tough spot to be in.

“But he has been encouraged through it all, seeing the smile on his face. For me, he is just like, “Coach, I am ready to get back out there, it looks like it is fun out there I am excited to go play again.” So, seeing that in his eyes I am excited to see him go compete.”

The Texans have noticed Green’s efforts and are encouraged by his progression.

“Yeah, working hard, made progress,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “Has an opportunity in front of him, so ,ultimately, it’s going to come down to the player and how well they prompt. KG is a good kid. Certainly has an opportunity in front of him. Nobody is guaranteed anything. So, ultimately, it’s going to come down how you perform, you know, when you’re on the field.”

Drafted with the 15th overall pick out of Texas A&M, Green endured a difficult rookie season as he dealt with injuries and was overwhelmed by elite defensive linemen. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and missed the entire offseason last year.

“I’m having fun,” Green told KPRC 2 last season before the shoulder injury“I’m out here laughing, listening to the music, singing the songs, just getting back to playing my brand of football.”

For Green, it’s a different personal sound track than the difficulties of his rookie season when he had his ups and downs. Green allowed 47 pressures and four sacks in 823 snaps. He had a 37.7 Pro Football Focus blocking grade, a 27.0 pass protection mark for the season, including a season-low 3.6 pass-blocking grade against the Washington Commanders when he struggled to slow down the charge of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Green gave up two sacks and five pressures in that loss.

So, Green rededicated himself to his craft and set his ambitions on reaching his potential.

“Just rolling with the punches, just continue to push myself and block out the negativity and push for more positive things,” Green said. “Just cutting weight, making sure I’m in great shape. That’s what I’ve really been focused on.”

Of course, Green has heard the criticism. Most of the commentary, he simply blocks it out.

Does it anger or motivate him?

“Nah, I’m just a real nonchalant guy,” Green said. “I’m too laid-back for that.,”

Listed at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, Green said he has dropped a “fair amount” of weight.

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

“Just technique, technique and just finishing plays, really,” he said. “That’s what I’m focused on right now. Technique and finishing plays, hands inside, just trying to be the best player I can be.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.