Kenyon Green Season-Ending Injury: ‘Matter Of When' For Texans

General manager Nick Caserio put Kenyon Green's season-ending injury into perspective for the Houston Texans.

HOUSTON — General manager Nick Caserio acknowledged he has never seen a team lose a number of its offensive linemen due to injuries to match what’s happening to his club..

The Houston Texans' offensive line began to take a significant hit during the second week of training camp when Scott Quessenberry (knee) and Tytus Howard (hand) sustained major injuries. 

And to close their three-game preseason schedule, rookie center Juice Scruggs suffered a hamstring injury that could cause him to miss the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

But out of all the injuries that have taken place, Caserio said it was "a matter of when" before the Texans added Kenyon Green to the list of wounded offensive linemen.  

"It was a matter of when, not if, this was going to happen," Caserio said. "He has been dealing with a lot of things physically and some things on a personal level. At some point, if a player is in a position where his situation puts him at a disadvantage, it's not fair to the player or team."

The Texans placed Green on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon, which will cause him to miss all of the 2023 campaign. He sustained a shoulder injury in Sunday's preseason win against the New Orleans Saints. However, according to Caserio, Green came into the camp with a shoulder impairment.

Green has dealt with the injury since May. He opted not to have surgery in hopes of his shoulder healing naturally.

Green's second season was vital for his ongoing development. He started 14 out of 15 games as a rookie. And due to the injuries he battled in 2022, the results led to the former first-round pick allowing 47 pressures, 31 hurries, 12 quarterback hits and five sacks.

"The big thing for him is to get ready for next year," Caserio said. "Get healthy. Get ready for next season. It's the reality of the situation. He played last year and got good experience. He had some good plays and bad plays. We are looking forward to 2024 and see where he is come February or March, whenever the off-season program starts."

With Green missing the season, the Texans traded for Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green. The league has not made the move final. But given Kendrick's career struggles, it's a testament to the void Green's absence will have on the Texans. 

A day after the Texans ended their three-game preseason schedule, coach DeMeco Ryans said he was proud of Green. His statement was puzzling Monday afternoon. But 48 hours later, Ryans' words took on a new meaning.

"He’s battled through a lot, and it’s been tough on him," Ryans said. "Tough kid going through a lot, but he’s tried to go every single day and he pushed it for us, and I’m proud of his effort and what he put out there for us.”