Tytus Howard started the season at left guard, an unfamiliar position that never looked entirely comfortable for him.
The former first-round draft pick from Alabama State ends the season Sunday at left tackle against the Tennessee Titans.
The 6-foot-5, 322-pounder has looked at home back at his natural position.
Howard started 14 games overall, including four games at left tackle after 10 starts at left guard to open the season.
Now, Howard is giving the Texans flexibility as the replacement for injured Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
“I played guard and tackle; tackle is my natural spot because that’s what I’ve been playing most of my career, and I’m playing tackle right now," Howard said. "So, my job is to wherever I’m at, work to be the best I can be. Right now I’m playing left tackle, so my goal is to be the best left tackle for this team."
Howard has the requisite size, strength, athleticism and nasty temperament to play tackle.
Signed to a four-year, $12.225 million contract that includes a club fifth-year option, Howard is much healthier this season. A year ago, he endured a rough offseason that included recovering from knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, a procedure to repair a broken finger, and dealing with no offseason practices due to the coronavirus pandemic. He wound up getting off to a slow start.
Now, Howard is back after missing the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers games after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was activated this week.
“I think as the season went along, things got better and better for me," Howard said. "I think I got better again this year than I was last year. So, coming into this offseason, my only goal is to get better and improve for next season and be the best I can be.”
Photo: Getty Images