The offensive line could be in serious trouble this season

Too often we focus on reputation, finances, or even potential when talking about expectations for a player. That's the only reason the Houston Texans made negative moves to improve their offensive line in the offseason. Yes, they drafted Blake Fisher, but he didn't impress. He also played tackle when the team needed reinforcements at guard and center.

After last season, only two players looked like true NFL starters, and those were potential Hall of Famer Laremy Tunsil and solid starter Shaq Mason. Everyone else on the offensive line was ready for a replacement. Still, the Texans decided to use essentially the same roster at running back, believing that the returning Tytus Howard or a healthy Kenyon Green would help the team in 2024. They also thought Juice Scruggs, one of last year's biggest disappointments, would improve his game.

It's still early and anything can still happen, but things aren't looking too good for the offense.

As the Texans and Los Angeles Rams gathered for a joint practice to close out the week, the offensive line's performance was one of the most obvious and problematic aspects of the team, with two different sides commenting on it.

In the Houston Chronicle, Jonathan M. Alexander and Jon Poorman write about how bad the management was, especially without Tunsil. The two say:

“…At one point, Cam Erving replaced Tunsil as left tackle, while rookie Blake Fisher replaced Howard as right tackle.

It wasn't nice.

The depth of the offensive line is a serious problem for the Texans…”

The Rams side also pointed out how weak the offensive line looked. Stu Jackson of Rams.com noted that the rookies were beating the Texans' best players, saying:

“One constant in these joint training sessions was the Rams’ pass rush…

One of the most notable moments was when rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse defeated Texans left tackle and eight-year NFL player Laremy Tunsil on an alleged sack…

Outside linebacker Byron Young and nose tackle Kobie Turner were also responsible for a near sack of Stroud during another round of team drills.

….there were moments when Texans quarterback CJ Stroud was forced to throw the ball away due to pressure and coverage, and other moments when he was able to escape or withstand it and complete passes outside of the structure…”
“

Allowing three sacks in practice against a regrouping defense is by no means a good sign. The Texans already had trouble protecting Stroud last season. They were the 11th worst team in the NFL at protecting Stroud, allowing 47 sacks. To see even more of that from a defense that isn't expected to be great is concerning.

Especially since we've been saying all offseason that the offensive line needs to improve. That's not what we were hoping to see from the team during those joint practices. Hopefully the line will improve with more diligent practice, better scrimmages, or just adding better talent. But if none of that happens, we're going to see Stroud running for his life for a long season.