Texans Get Encouraging Update About Key $71 Million Offseason Pickup

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was forced to shuffle some things around in practice on Monday following an injury to left tackle Cam Robinson. However, after the dust settled, the Texans may have avoided the worst.

How Aireontae Ersery became Houston Texans tackle of the future

A second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017, Robinson, 29, split the 2024 season between them and the Minnesota Vikings.

He signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Texans in free agency this offseason.

“Starting left tackle Cam Robinson left practice after getting hurt at the start of the workout at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on August 4. “Robinson walked off under his own power and went inside to be examined. One source said that they didn’t believe it was a long-term issue.

“Not having Robinson during the season would be an issue, but the Texans may just have to play without him during training camp.”

Robinson, who has earned $71.6 million in his eight-year career, started 17 games between the Jaguars and Vikings during the 2024 regular season. Moreover, he has started 14-plus games in six of his eight seasons in the NFL.

The Texans immediately felt the effects of Robinson’s injury and absence.

Texans Get Reality Check About OL Situation

Robinson is part of a significant investment effort by the Texans into their offensive line this offseason. Losing him meant moving players around.

“When Robinson left practice, his absence triggered a line shuffle,” Wilson wrote. “The Texans moved rookie right tackle Aireontae Ersery to left tackle and right guard Tytus Howard to right tackle as Juice Scruggs stepped in for Howard at right guard while Ed Ingram worked in behind him.”

That did not go well, with Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander noting the issues.

“Robinson’s injury showed that the Texans have a long way to go when it comes to figuring out their starting five as well as their contingency plans in case there is an injury,” Alexander wrote on August 4. “There wasn’t much success with either lineup. In fact, it just further complicated the chemistry the first-team offensive line was building as four of their lineman had become constants in the starting lineup.”

Losing a starting left tackle would disrupt any team, but Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud absorbed 52 sacks last season. As he heads towards extension eligibility and a potentially historic deal, the Texans must keep him upright.

That means they need players like Robinson to remain on the field, so the Texans are surely waiting with bated breath for more information.

Texans Rookie Gets Chance to Back Up Comments

Robinson’s potential absence could be a tremendous opportunity for Ersery, who the Texans selected in the second round of the 2025 draft. Ersery boasted about the pride he takes in protecting his quarterback, and that is paramount on a right-handed quarterback’s blind side.

He expressed similar sentiments about paving the way in the run game, which will help save some hits on Stroud, too.

Ersery could perform better if he starts at LT rather than moving there mid-practice.

That would be great news for Stroud and the Texans, since it would resolve a major question the Texans created by trading Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders this offseason.

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Texans Get Encouraging Update About Key $71 Million Offseason Pickup

Texans Get Reality Check About OL Situation

Texans Rookie Gets Chance to Back Up Comments

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