The Houston Texans released the inactive players for their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, and one name on their list can have a significant impact on the offensive side of the ball.
This offseason, the Texans sought to make changes to one of the statistically weakest offensive lines in the NFL. So they traded with the Minnesota Vikings for offensive lineman Ed Ingram.
After a solid training camp, Ingram was slated to start, but after dealing with an abdominal strain all week, and listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report and ruled out on Sunday.
His absence could cause some continuity issues for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has consistently practiced with the same offensive lineup that included rookie Aireontae Ersery - left tackle, Laken Tomlinson - left guard, Jake Andrews – center, Ingram – right guard, and Tytus Howard – right tackle.
With Ingram out, the Texans may have to resort to a lineup that would put Cam Robinson, who signed a one-year $14.5 million contract in the offseason at left tackle, Howard would move from right tackle to right guard, and Ersery would start his first NFL game at right tackle, a position he has not worked since the early part of training camp.
With Houston facing one of the toughest defensive fronts in the NFL, led by Rams outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young, an offensive line shift could alter the entire trajectory of the game.