With some key veterans out, the Texans offensive line will rely upon some young reinforcements this weekend in Nashville versus the Titans.
Houston had last Sunday off with a bye. The week before that in Miami, the Texans started—left to right--the quintet of Geron Christian Sr., Tytus Howard, Jimmy Morrissey, Justin McCray and Charlie Heck. Christian and Morrissey were filling in for Laremy Tunsil and Justin Britt, respectively.
"We're going to use the same line we had last game out," Head Coach David Culley said. "Justin's not quite ready yet, and Laremy's not quite ready yet."
Tunsil, who's been a Pro Bowl selection in each of the previous two seasons at left tackle, remains sidelined with a thumb injury.
"He's still going through the rehab right now," Culley said. "He's still got the point where 'Do I wear a splint? Do I not wear a splint?'"
Culley also said Tunsil's building back his "overall strength" because the injury prevented the veteran lineman from lifting weights.
"He's actually getting to the point where he's starting to lift now and get his strength back," Culley said. "Once he gets that back, it's just a matter of him being able to go."
Without Britt, the Texans will again rely on Morrissey. Culley's been impressed by the rookie, who played his college ball at Pitt. The Raiders selected Morrissey in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in April. Houston signed him off the Las Vegas practice squad on October 19.
"He's jumped in there and done a heck of a job for us," Culley said. "He's a very smart kid. He hasn't had a bunch of playing time, but he went in there and upheld his end very, very well in the last game, making calls and doing all those types of things. We're very comfortable with him in there."
The Texans practiced Wednesday at the Houston Methodist Training Center. They'll do so again on Thursday and Friday.
The next time you can see the Texans at NRG Stadium will be on November 28 as they host the New York Jets in Week 12. Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets.
