C.J. Stroud has been sacked more than any quarterback except two after just three weeks of the 2026 NFL season. That’s a brutal truth for any franchise, but for the Houston Texans, it’s just the tip of the iceberg of their offensive line woes, made even worse by how well their former linemen are playing elsewhere.
The Ghost of Offensive Linemen Past
Watching Thursday Night Football, specifically the Browns-Steelers matchup, must have been a punch to the gut for Texans fans. There was former Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard, traded to the Browns for a measly fifth-round pick, absolutely stonewalling Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt all night long. Howard, who put in seven seasons with the Texans, was a proficient blocker in that game, helping stabilize the Browns’ offensive line and stifle Pittsburgh. Now, sure, Howard’s an eight-season veteran who’s proven to be a replacement-level offensive lineman over his career. But his stellar play for the Browns? That’s got to sting.
Then there’s Juice Scruggs. Remember when the Texans dealt Scruggs to the Detroit Lions for running back David Montgomery? A lot of folks in Houston thought they fleeced Detroit on that one. But Scruggs, forced into starting center duty because of injuries, has absolutely thrived. Pro Football Focus has him graded out as the NFL’s fourth-best center (71.5) through three games. And as a run blocker? He’s the league’s second-best center (78.7). Meanwhile, back in Houston, PFF currently grades the Texans’ offensive line at No. 30 out of 32 teams. How do you reconcile that? It’s tough, man.
Resources Thrown Away?
The Texans have poured serious resources into fixing what’s arguably been the most problem-plagued unit in franchise history. General Manager Nick Caserio used a first-round pick to snag interior lineman Keylan Rutledge. They also brought in veteran free agents Evan Brown and Wyatt Teller to bolster the unit. So far, none of it is working. The Texans are staring down an 0-3 record. Stroud’s getting battered, and the team’s rushing attack is anemic, averaging a meager 84.7 yards per game, also ranking 30th out of 32 teams. Offensive line coach Cole Popovich tried to put a brave face on it, telling KPRC’s Aaron Wilson that “We’re still making gains. We’re gonna go out there and just execute better from a down-to-down basis. And it starts with me, we’re all in this together. We’ll keep coaching it, the players will keep coming along, keep getting it, and we’ll just keep improving as we go.” Sounds like a lot of coach-speak when you’re 0-3.
The Texans are at a breaking point yet again. This was a team that seemed destined for title contention this season, and their offensive line just isn’t getting it done. Next up, their rival Dallas Cowboys come to town. The Cowboys bring one of the league’s “worst defenses,” currently ranked No. 23 by PFF. Another poor performance and we’re talking tough questions for everyone involved in that offense, from the quarterback to the GM. Just being average would be a massive improvement. Because 0-4? That might mean thinking more about a hi… well, you know.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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