Can Healthy LB Christian Harris Be Texans 'Leading Defensive Playmaker'?

The Houston Texans are revamping the defense under DeMeco Ryans, and Alabama product Christian Harris could lead the way.

Houston Texans' new head man DeMeco Ryans is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, and he's tasked with reviving a once fierce defense in Space City. So... how does he do it?

It starts with breakout players and surprise stars, guys who aren't high on the radar in the offseason. One such player in Houston is linebacker Christian Harris, The Athletic's pick as the Texans' breakout candidate.

"The 2022 third-round pick out of Alabama missed all of training camp, the preseason and the first five weeks of the regular season while recovering from hamstring injuries and then played the final 12 games, starting 11 of them while accumulating 74 tackles (six for a loss) and a sack," The Athletic wrote. 

And that's the big question mark for Harris. As high as his potential is, can he stay healthy? And, more importantly, what does his production look like when he is?

As good as he was during the backend of last season, we've yet to see Harris across 17 games. But with his first full summer in the league under his belt, he could stay on the field and fully acclimate in year two. 

"Benefiting from that playing time, a healthy offseason and the arrival of linebacker-turned-head coach DeMeco Ryans, Harris seems primed for a big year as one of Houston's leading defensive playmakers," The Athletic concluded.

A guy who was top-five in fumbles forced and tackles in the SEC at points in his Alabama career, a healthy Harris was a menace in college. If he can channel that once again, watch out.

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