Tytus Howard has started at a different position in the Houston Texans’ offensive line in each of his past three games.
Howard has been the most versatile player as the Texans searched for their best combination up front. Houston has used seven combinations of offensive-line starters in its 10 games this season, but coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans would use the same five offensive linemen in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts who started in last week’s 23-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
That will put Howard at left guard for the second time this season. He played right guard in the season-opening game, then lined up at right tackle for seven games. After missing a game because of a concussion, Howard returned at right guard in a 16-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans before switching to left guard against Buffalo.
“We’ve got a talented group, man,” Howard said. “The five we had in there, everybody can play. We’ve built that camaraderie every day, man. Yeah, I switched positions multiple times this season, but, like I’ve said, I’m a team-first guy. Everything I do, everything I’ve done in my career was always for the betterment of the team. So I’m just continuing to get better in my craft no matter where I’m at each and every day, so I’m just trying to grow as a player, grow as a leader every day.”
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Position versatility isn’t new for Howard. He played quarterback at Monroe County High School and went to Alabama State to play tight end. He left the Hornets as ASU’s first first-round draft pick as an offensive tackle.
Since joining Houston as the 23rd selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Howard has started at every offensive-line position except center, with right tackle his most frequent spot for the Texans.
“I think Tytus has done a great job just unselfishly moving where he’s played right tackle, right guard, left guard,” Ryans said on Monday. “Whatever we’ve asked him, he’s done it. That shows that he’s a smart player to be able to handle as much as we put on his plate. So he’s done that, and he’s played good for us.”
Tytus said video study of his opponent has helped him adjust as he slides around the offensive line.
“It’s like the more you know your opponent, the more comfortable you are, the better you’ll play,” Howard said. “And I think early on in my career that kind of helped me out a lot. Due to me having to move around, learning different positions and stuff like that, being able to play faster is what helped me out a lot.”
Houston has used 10 players as starting offensive linemen this season. But a repeat from the previous game will put Howard on the field with second-round rookie Aireontae Ersery at left tackle, Jake Andrews at center, Ed Ingram at right guard and Trent Brown at right tackle.
“We’ll continue to roll with our offensive line,” Ryans said. “For me, it’s always been about trying to get our best five guys out there.”
Like Howard, Andrews is a former Alabama high school star. An All-State selection for Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Andrews started for four seasons at Troy, mainly at right guard but as the All-Sun Belt center in 2022.
A fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Andrews played in 16 games, with one start, as a rookie, when he had 70 offensive snaps and 50 special-teams plays for the New England Patriots.
At his second NFL training camp, Andrews sustained a meniscus injury and went on season-ending injured reserve on Aug. 5, 2024.
The Texans claimed Andrews when the Patriots waived him in April. He has started 10 of Houston’s 11 games.
Andrews will be on the ball again when the Texans take on the Colts at noon CST Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Houston has rebounded from an 0-3 start to reach a 6-5 record after three consecutive victories. The Texans are trying to catch the Colts in the AFC South. With six weeks remaining in the regular season, Houston is two games behind 8-3 Indianapolis.
The Texans close their regular-season schedule with another game against the Colts on Jan. 4.