Juice Scruggs Injury Complicates Texans' OL for Week 1

Houston Texans center Juice Scruggs' injury may delay the start to his rookie season, adding to the team's turbulence up front.

The Houston Texans saw their offensive line prospects improve during camp when rookie center Juice Scruggs exceeded expectations and cemented himself as the team’s starting center. Now, his start to the season is in doubt.

Scruggs suffered a strained hamstring in Houston’s 17-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He is expected to take two to four weeks to recover, which likely makes him questionable for the season opener, when the Texans visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 10.

The rookie filled in admirably for Scott Quessenberry, who tore his ACL early in camp. If Scruggs is to miss time, backup lineman Jarrett Patterson would presumably be in line to start.

Houston decided to keep Scruggs on the active roster for Tuesday’s deadline, easing fans’ nerves. Other linemen weren’t so fortunate.

The Texans opted to place second-year guard Kenyon Green on injured reserve prior to the 3 p.m. deadline, ending his season. Tackle Charlie Heck will remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list until at least Week 4. Interior lineman Michael Deiter, who started over Green in the final preseason contest, was released.

“We don’t go if our O-Line doesn’t go,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday. “We don’t go if our D-Line doesn’t go. Whatever we need to do to continue to get better up front, we’ll do it and invest whatever we need to invest to make it work.”

Houston followed through on that promise in trading for Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Kendrick Green on Tuesday. Last Thursday, they added Arizona Cardinals tackle Josh Jones in a swap of day-three picks.

It is not yet clear who will be starting up front in Baltimore, but the Texans have continued to prioritize the offensive line. Houston has adequately braced itself for their rookie center missing time, but given his performance this summer, they’ll be more than excited to welcome him back.