Texans rookie offensive guard Kenyon Green has joined the starting lineup.
The first-round draft pick from Texas A&M, 15th overall selection and former Atascosita star has been plugged in as the starting left offensive guard lining up next to Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
“I would say normal rookie progression, he needs to get in there," Texans coach Lovie Smith said. "First, it's about getting in football playing conditions. He's working on that, but now we'll continue to let him go with the ones, too. We know he's going to play for us. It's just about getting him looks, as many looks as we possibly can and that's what we're doing.”
Green was signed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $15.9 million contract that includes a fifth-year club option.
A former consensus All-American and All-Southeastern Conference selection, Green is a former Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year.
“The rook is doing pretty good," Texans right tackle Tytus Howard said. "I think Kenyon is doing a pretty good job of when he was not in the ones, watching what he needs to be able to do to keep up with the ones. Today he stepped up and did a pretty good job and only going to improve from now on.”
Green (6-foot-4, 323 pounds is a former blue-chip recruit who started two games at right tackle, one at left tackle, two at right guard, and seven at left guard last season for the Aggies.
“My blood, sweat, and tears have been here 21 years almost," Green said after being drafted. "I mean, it's really nothing else to say. I'm here. I'm ready to go, so, you know, whatever that takes, whatever we need to do to do that, I'm willing and ready.”
A former All-SEC Freshman selection at right guard, Green moved to left guard in 2020 and started every game. He was named a second-team All-American and second-team all-SEC selection. Green was a finalist for the Lombardi Award last season.
Green's father, Henry, played offensive guard at Grambling State University. His mother, Shalonda, is a former UCLA volleyball player.
"He’s been a really productive, consistent player," Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. "He played tackle. He played guard. I would say he is probably a better guard than he is a tackle. I think he is probably more of an inside player, but we'll put him in the mix. Local kid, so I'm sure all of the Texans, fellow Texans, will be happy about that.
"He’s a real solid kid. I would say blue collar, humble, soft-spoken, lunch pail. Shows up; doesn't say much. Just kind of works his ass off and wants to play football. That fits the profile of what we want from the players that walk in this building."