The Houston Texans may not play until Monday night at the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but there were some of their former players who did play on the first Sunday of 2019. Here is how four former Texans, who left either in free agency, cut, or trade, performed Sunday.
1. chiefs s tyrann mathieu
The Honey Bader had three combined tackles in the Chiefs’ 40-26 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium. Tight ends weren’t a big factor as James O’Shaughnessy caught four passes for 32 yards and free agent pickup Geoff Swaim tallied four for 17. The tape will reveal how much of receiver D.J. Chark’s four catches for 146 yards and a touchdown were Mathieu’s fault or not. Those type of receiver numbers are reminiscent of what Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton was able to do last year to Houston.
2. browns ot kendall lamm
Losing on Opening Day shouldn’t feel too unfamiliar to Lamm, as Cleveland dropped their home opener 43-13 to the Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Baker Mayfield took four sacks Sunday despite finishing 2018 taking a total of three over the last seven games. The run game managed 102 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and the offense suffered five tackles for loss. Lamm started 13 games for the Texans last season.
3. cowboys dt christian covington
The former Rice Owl had two combined tackles in Dallas’ 35-17 win over the New York Giants. The Giants managed to take an early 7-0 lead, but the Cowboys offense exploded and the defense stiffened up. Dallas “held” the Giants to 470 yards of total offense and 25 first downs. Quarterback Eli Manning was sacked just once.
4. de/olb jadeveon clowney
The former 2014 No. 1 overall pick had the most impressive outing of any ex-Texans player on Sunday with two combined tackles, 1.0 sacks, and a pass breakup. Seattle could use every bit of it as they squeaked by the Cincinnati Bengals 21-20 at CenturyLink Field. For Clowney, it was the first time since 2016 he experienced winning on Opening Day.
