02-08-2025
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans sees offensive line 'coming into form'
Don't look now, but the Houston Texans might have their starting offensive line for the regular season.
Following Saturday's practice at the Methodist Training Center, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said the starting line is coming into form with players separating themselves from the pack. What does this mean? In short, expect the starting five you've seen at practice over the past few days to be the starting five when Houston takes on Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
'When we put the pads on, you see guys start to move ahead of other guys a little bit,' Ryans said. 'We'll still evaluate those guys and see how the games go, but I'm pleased with where we are now.'
Since the Texans put on the pads, the Texans have featured three of the five same offensive linemen every practice: Cam Robinson at left tackle, Tytus Howard at right guard and Aireontae Ersery at right tackle. Jake Andrews and Jarrett Patterson have been rotating at center with the first team, while Jaylon Thomas and Laken Tomlinson have been seeing a majority of reps at left guard.
Right now, Tomlinson is the favorite to start at left guard, so the only real battle seems to be at center. Andrews, who has experience working with new offensive line coach Cole Popovich in college, saw most of the first-team reps on Saturday.
'I think it helps when you have continuity and you're working besides the same guy for however many reps you're going through in practice,' Ryans said. 'It helps with communication, it helps speed up things.'
Ersery, the Texans' second-round pick out of Minnesota, might be the biggest surprise heading into the team's road trip over to The Greenbrier. It's not because Houston didn't expect him to be a focal point of the offense, but rather many figured 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher would be a surefire to start during training camp.
Right now, the former Notre Dame product has been locked in at right tackle with the 2s most of camp.
"The thing we're working on with Blake is pad level," Ryans said earlier this offseason. "Can he work with good pad level, work with good knee bend and be in a great position to protect?"
Ersey, who spent his last three seasons with the Golden Gophers at left tackle, is learning a new position while trying to protect his quarterback against an All-Pro talent like Danielle Hunter. It's been challenging, but he feels like he's getting up to speed, moving from the left to the right.
'I am more natural on the left; I have played left for longer. But it is like riding a bike, once you get on it you just keep pedaling," Ersery said. "It is not that hard."
The Texans will face off against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans sees offensive line 'coming into form'
