Injury struggles continue for Texans former first-round pick

Kenyon Green re-emerged in the Texans’ starting lineup this season, attempting to bounce back after missing all of 2023 and struggling as a rookie the year prior. The former first-round pick’s return has not gone as hoped.

The Texans benched Green in Week 8 but moved him back into their lineup once replacement Jarrett Patterson suffered a concussion. Houston, however, needed to use a third option — 2023 trade acquisition Kendrick Green — once Kenyon Green sustained an injury Thursday. Kenyon Green suffered a dislocated shoulder, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the third-year blocker is out indefinitely.

Houston had considered making the Green-for-Green switch before Week 9 but gave the 2022 No. 15 overall pick another shot. It now appears the Texas A&M product’s career is again on hold. This comes a year after Kenyon Green suffered a torn labrum and missed his second season.

Green, whom the Texans traded down for from the No. 12 slot they obtained from the Browns in the Deshaun Watson blockbuster, entered Week 8 ranked last among guard regulars in the view of Pro Football Focus. Despite being the first guard chosen in 2022, he has been unable to put it together. The offseason rejuvenation that led the once-highly regarded prospect back into Houston’s left guard spot has stalled, and it appears the Texans will need to make other plans.

Although Kenyon Green has struggled, first-round O-line prospects generally have fans in other teams’ buildings. That looks to be the case here, as Green was generating some trade interest before Week 8. Expanding on that, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson indicates the Texans are believed to have discussed the young guard with an NFC East team. Anderson describes those proceedings as Houston looking into the unspecified club’s preliminary interest. With Green now out, the Texans will almost certainly retain him at the trade deadline.

Kenyon Green’s rookie deal (four years, $15.95M), which is fully guaranteed, runs through 2025. Kendrick Green, whom the Texans acquired from the Steelers in the wake of Kenyon’s summer 2023 injury, is in a contract year. The former Pittsburgh third-rounder has not worked as a regular starter since struggling as the Steelers’ center in 2021. Kendrick Green did start three games for the Texans last year, before going down with a season-ending meniscus injury early in his first Houston season.

Patterson, a 2023 sixth-round pick, started all seven games he played last season; an ankle injury ended his season midway through — during a shaky year for the Texans’ O-line. Patterson vied with the Greens for the guard job opposite
Shaq Mason this offseason. Should Patterson come back from the recent concussion soon, it would stand to reason he will be given another opportunity at LG.

This year has gone better for the Texans up front, as both their tackles — Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard — are healthy after injuries cost them time in 2023. Houston’s center, Juice Scruggs, has also started all eight games after missing much of his rookie season. The team will need a fix at left guard, however, and given Kenyon Green’s work to date, probably will look for a longer-term solution in the offseason.