The Houston Texans will be without their rookie starting right tackle, and it is a big loss for the team on Sunday vs. the Indianapolis Colts.
Not having rookie right tackle Tytus Howard in the starting lineup on Sunday is a big deal for the Houston Texans, and even bigger loss for a unit that is starting to hit their groove the past two games.
Howard was injured last Sunday in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and that game was the second straight week the offensive line didn’t allow a sack. Howard is going to miss a handful of games with an MCL injury.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports wrote the following on Howard’s injury:
"“The good news is that it’s not an ACL tear, he should be able to avoid surgery and should be able to return this season. That said, Howard will miss several weeks, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.”"
Howard — a 2019 first round pick — has been improving weekly in his overall play, and now it is being reported by Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com that Roderick Johnson is taking over at right tackle for the game against the Colts. With Howard out for an extended amount of time, right tackle will be the position to watch on offense in Week 7 and beyond.
Listed below are all of the inactives for the Texans for the upcoming game:
Today’s #Texans inactives at Indianapolis:
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 20, 2019
#63 Roderick Johnson will start at RT for #71 Tytus Howard.#HOUvsIND pic.twitter.com/5ePAOsSEOU
Others on the inactive list for the Texans are cornerback Bradley Roby, safety Mike Adams, inside linebacker Tyrell Adams, center/guard Greg Mancz, tight end Logan Paulsen and defensive end Carlos Watkins.
Our #HOUvsIND inactives. pic.twitter.com/Pk4YqX2vj2
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 20, 2019
Looking at the inactive players for the Colts, not having Parris Campbell is big for them as he’s good rookie wide receiver. Campbell this season has played in four games with 10 receptions (13 targets) for 62 yards and one touchdown.
Not having Malik Hooker at safety will make a difference on the Colts defensive game plan as well. Hooker this season has now missed three straight games, and the Colts are 1-1 without the safety in the lineup. When Hooker is in the lineup the Colts are 2-1.
Back to the Texans not having Howard, this is a big loss and it will no doubt be noticeable on the offensive line, but it will be a good test for Johnson to see how well he can come in as a reserve player and now back in the starting role.