Texans' DeMeco Ryans 'Fired Up' Over Will Anderson Jr.'s First Career Sack

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he was fired up but not surprised that Will Anderson Jr.'s first career sack came so early.

HOUSTON — It took one game for Will Anderson Jr. to display why he was worth the hefty price the Houston Texans paid for the No. 3 overall pick. Anderson registered his first career sack during the Texans' 25-9 Week 1 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon on Lamar Jackson.

The game was already out of reach by the time Anderson sacked Jackson early in the fourth quarter. But the score displayed at M&T Bank Stadium did not prevent coach DeMeco Ryans from celebrating Anderson's career accomplishment. 

"His first game, to get a sack, that was important, and I was happy for Will, and I’m happy for all our players when we make plays," Ryans said. "I know how hard it is to make a play in this league, so I’m going to be fired up when our guys make plays."

Anderson's sack left Ryans thrilled but not surprised. Ryans has described his rookie defensive lineman as a player who carries a relentless motor. 

Although he has only worked alongside Anderson for five months, Ryans became enamored with the former Alabama prospect during his college days playing for the Crimson Tide. 

Playing under coach Nick Saban laid the groundwork. The outcome led to Anderson solidifying himself as one of the top EDGE rushers in the history of the prominent program. 

He came into the draft in April as arguably the top-rated prospect after recording 205 tackles and 34.5 sacks in 114 career games.

Anderson recorded six tackles and two quarterback hits during his debut against the Ravens. But for Ryans, Anderson's impact on Houston's defensive front went beyond the box score.

"Will is definitely a versatile rusher where we can move him around multiple places," Ryans said. "He doesn’t just have to align on the left side. We’ll move him around, left [or] right. If we have to put him over guards, wherever we feel like he can be an effective rusher and get after the quarterback, that’s where we’ll put him."