The Houston Texans appeared to have rebuilt their failed state of an offensive line, and it only took the 2019 NFL Draft.
Houston selected right tackle Tytus Howard in Round 1, and then used one of their twin Round 2 picks to take Max Scharping. Howard started eight games, and Scharping, who had tackle and guard experience, anchored left guard with 14 starts in his 16 games played.
In 2020, Scharping has played in 13 games, but has started in just seven as he has been sharing the left guard spot with Senio Kelemete and Brent Qvale. In Week 15’s 27-20 loss at the Indianapolis Colts, Scharping played just four snaps, all on special teams.
Interim coach Romeo Crennel believes Scharping’s regression can be traced to the lack of an offseason caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think that not having an offseason, not having a preseason hurts young players when they are ready to make a move and to improve themselves and they’re not able to have that to continue that progress,” Crennel said. “I think also during the year, like you said, he missed some time during the year and so all of those things set him back a little bit.”
Though Scharping has taken a step back, Crennel is still positive that the former Northern Illinois product can provide some talent along the interior offensive line.
“I still feel like he’s a big body in there,” said Crennel. “He will be able to get some things done, particularly if he’s able to have an offseason this year and a preseason and all of those things that go into educating a football player.”
Scharping may not see significant snaps as the Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. However, the 6-6, 327-pound offensive lineman will have the entire offseason to improve and reclaim a starting spot.
