Houston Texans starting left tackle Matt Kalil has been absent from practice since Aug. 15, the club’s final joint practice with the Detroit Lions.
While this may be concerning to outsiders not privy to the information discussed behind closed doors, coach Bill O’Brien was coy to release specifics surrounding Kalil.
“Right now, I don’t have to release an injury report until the season starts,” O’Brien told reporters Tuesday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “And every time I come up here I get 50 questions about injuries. So, you’ll get an injury report when the season starts.”
With regards to Kalil’s availability, O’Brien did provide an answer as to why the former Pro Bowler has not been practicing.
“Right now, I’ll tell you that he’s out of practice per the head coach’s discretion,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien subsequently went on to state that he still expects Kalil to start come Week 1, which will come as comforting news to Texans fans hoping for an improved offensive line this season.
The Texans allowed a staggering 62 sacks in 2018, and with Deshaun Watson fully healthy they will surely be looking to do all they can to keep him that way in 2019. As it stands, it seems likely that Roderick Johnson will start in Kalil’s place against the Dallas Cowboys this week, perhaps with rookie Tytus Howard moving outside from time to time.
