Without rookie tackle Tytus Howard (injured reserve – MCL), the Houston Texans are taking a new approach to their right tackle position: rotating between their two backups.
Chris Clark, 34, and Roderick Johnson, 24, have each started two games at right tackle. In Week 13’s win over the New England Patriots, Clark played 61% of right tackle snaps, while starting, and Johnson played 39%.
In Week 9, an international win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Clark and Johnson evenly split snaps at left tackle.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien isn’t sure who will start at right tackle in Week 14’s tilt with the Denver Broncos.
“I think it’s more week-to-week. I think we thought that that was decent the way that it went last week, but this week’s a whole different ball game,” O’Brien told the Denver media in a conference call Tuesday. “I think there’s always competition on our roster at certain spots. I think it’s a lot about practicing and competition and things like that.”
Whoever does play may have to block against pass-rusher Von Miller, who isn’t a sure thing to play on Sunday (knee). Whether it’s Clark or Johnson, they will undoubtedly have a tough task at NRG Stadium on Dec. 8.
