The Houston Texans drafted Kenyon Green in the 1st round, 15th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to provide stability to the left guard position, with six players starting in the three previous seasons leading up to 2022. They also drafted Green so Tytus Howard could stay at right tackle, his natural position, instead of lining up at left guard.
So far, Green has struggled and battled injuries.
The Houston Texans’ former 15th overall pick had a disappointing start to his career
Kenyon Green had an underwhelming rookie season. He suffered a knee injury during training camp, which affected him throughout the season. He also lost the starting left guard job to Justin McCray and served as McCray’s backup in Week 1.
Due to McCray’s struggles in Week 1, Green took over as the starting left guard in Week 2 and started 14 of their last 16 games. Unfortunately, he did not play well in 2022, surrendering 47 pressures, 31 hurries, 12 hits, four sacks allowed, 12 penalties, and a 37.7 PFF grade.
Green underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the season and missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp but returned for Day 2 of training camp. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending torn labrum in his left shoulder in their preseason finale.
Kenyon Green recovered from his shoulder injury
Green recovered from his shoulder injury this offseason just in time for offseason workouts. He is healthy and ready to regain his old starting spot. So far, he has received first-team reps at LG throughout OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and the first few days of training camp.
Their head coach praised him.
DeMeco Ryans praised Kenyon Green
“The first two days, I’ve seen a guy who’s in shape and a guy who’s ready to compete,” Ryans said. “That’ll give him his best chance to put his best film out there. We’ll see, but Kenyon, he’s available, so that will allow him to grow and become a better player. He’s done a great job in the offseason of working out [and] being attentive to all the details the coaches have asked him to take care of—he’s been on it. So, this gives him a chance.”
Kenyon Green enters a pivotal third-season
Green enters a pivotal season, as the Texans will have to decide whether to exercise or decline his 5th-year option for the 2026 season next May. They will not exercise it if he loses the starting competition or struggles. However, they could exercise his option or give him another shot in 2025 if he wins the starting job and plays well in 2024.
Will he be up for the challenge?
