The Houston Texans like what they are seeing from third-round rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and expect to see even more improvement in the final quarter of the season.
The former Louisville Cardinal and Florida Gator provided Houston with a quarterback hit in his 12 defensive snaps in the 26-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.
“I think that the game experience that he’s gotten has helped him a lot because he knows now how guys are going to try to block him, how they’re going to try to attack him and then how he needs to play those blocks and how he needs to do his responsibility,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “He’s a kid that has some strength, good size and he’s a steady player.”
On the year, Greenard has tallied nine combined tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, 1.0 sack, and a pass breakup in his nine games. The 6-3, 263-pound edge defender has played 137 defensive snaps compared to 117 special teams snaps.
“I think that he’ll continue to get better through the rest of this season,” said Crennel.
Greenard will have to battle with veterans for his snap count as outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve was activated Wednesday.
