The Houston Texans spent a ton of time reworking their offensive line this offseason.
After trading Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns , signing multiple veterans in free agency, and even drafting multiple interior offensive linemen, this unit looks a whole lot different than it did this time last year.
And after the dust had settled this offseason, one primary offensive line configuration had emerged as the most likely starting group that Houston entered Week 1 with: Aireontar Ersery and Trent Brown at right tackle, Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram at guard, and rookie Keylan Rutledge at center.
However, after just two preseason games, it seems like the Texans could have a chance to make a shift on their offensive line that would be a little different than those initial projections--and it doesn't involve their right tackle spot.
According to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, the Texans are giving "serious consideration" to the idea of starting Keylan Rutledge at left guard, while Evan Brown starts at center.
The Texans have previously stated that while there isn't an exact timetable to determine a starting offensive line, they'll certainly have it ready to go once they're preparing for their first game against the Buffalo Bills.
But this bit of intel tells us that the Texans' interior offensive line could be set to switch things up compared to expectations entering training camp.
Houston opted to start the duo of Rutledge and Brown in their second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, where they played next to Ersery Ingram and Trent Brown on the first drive of the day.
Since the Texans signed former Pro Bowler Wyatt Teller on a two-year deal this offseason, most have slotted him in as the most likely candidate to claim that left guard spot.
Teller has played right guard throughout his time with the Cleveland Browns, but with Ed Ingram already settled on the right side in Houston, Teller was expected to flip over to the other end.
He was paid $16 million over his two-year deal, and has over 100 career starts with two Pro Bowl selections to his name, setting him up to be an easy-startable, plug-and-play guy even in the back-nine of his career.
Jul 31, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans guard Wyatt Teller (75) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Then, Rutledge could be the one to slide over to center , so long as he could make the transition from his college position of left guard.
If not, last year's starter, Jake Andrews, is still on the roster, so he could be someone who retains his spot until the rookie can slide over to center, or is ready to get called up to the first unit.
Houston might have other plans in mind for their starting offensive front, though. Their other veteran interior lineman signed from this offseason, former Arizona Cardinals starter Evan Brown , has been making noise throughout camp and preseason that's put him on the map to start.
He's someone that, while on a one-year deal, has positional versatility to play either guard or center, and has started nearly 70 games at three positions throughout his seven-year career.
The Texans clearly like what he brings to the table, and might just be giving him a real chance to start at center against Buffalo.
That decision to start Brown would also allow the Texans to hand the starting job to their rookie, Keylan Rutledge, on the left side of him at guard, and play a position geared more towards his natural skillset as a right guard at Georgia Tech.
A ton of time still remains before the Texans determine their official starters for that Week 1 game.
Another preseason game and a joint practice against the Carolina Panthers, along with the entire events of roster cutdown day, are still on the horizon. A ton of things could change on the Texans' offensive line from where they stand now.
However, at the very least, based on where the Texans' competition upfront stands now, there are three starting jobs at left guard, center and right tackle that still seem widely undetermined as to who will be starting there to begin the regular season.
But as for Keylan Rutledge, he feels pretty destined to get a call-up. And for Evan Brown, his chances of getting a starting nod his way seem to keep on growing.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/texans/onsi as Texans Could Make Notable O-Line Change After Raiders Preseason Game .
