Texans Standout Starter to Miss Steelers Game

Texans starting offensive lineman Josh Jones is expected to miss the team’s game against the Steelers with a hand injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston reports. Jones started the team’s first game at left guard, but moved over to left tackle for the last two games while starter Laremy Tunsil deals with knee swelling. Tunsil has missed the last two games, but now the Texans could be without both players.

Tunsil may miss the game and did not practice on Wednesday. But Jones being expected to miss the game is notable. Jones came over from the Arizona Cardinals, where he was a key depth player and starter for the team over his career there. He started 21 games for the Cardinals after joining the team in 2020. Jones is a versatile player who can play anywhere except center on the offensive line.

Pro Football Focus tagged Jones with nine pressures allowed this season and one sack allowed. He currently had a 48.5 grade on the season. If Jones and Tunsil can not go, Austin Deculus, Geron Christian, and George Fant can replace them. Fant is the team’s starting right tackle and is set to face T.J. Watt, but has experience on that left side. Christian and Deculus both have experience there, with Deculus taking some significant snaps.

Cornerstone Tytus Howard broke his hand and was placed on injured reserve before the team’s Week 1 game. However, he is not the only injury. 80 percent of the team’s starting offensive line, only sans guard Shaq Mason, is injured and has missed time.

Rookie center Juice Scruggs remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. In addition to that two starters, Kenyon Green and Scott Quessenberry, are out for the season with injuries. Jones is the latest hit to a group that has suffered a cache of injuries over the first months of the season. The Steelers pass rush will look to take advantage.