New-look defense forces four turnovers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — When the Texans hired defensive coordinator Lovie Smith to transition from a 3-4 defense to an attacking, 4-3 scheme, Smith placed an emphasis on creating more turnovers. The Texans had nine takeaways in 2020, the second-fewest in the NFL since 1980, and Houston’s defense produced three turnovers in its debut against the Green Bay Packers in the preseason opener.
Defensive end Jonathan Greenard forced a sack fumble just before halftime. He rushed off the right edge and dislodged the football from Packers quarterback Jordan Love, and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson recovered the ball at the Green Bay 17.
The Texans did not capitalize on the turnover. Quarterback Davis Mills threw a pass wide of tight end Kahale Warring that was intercepted by Packers defensive back Kabion Ento and returned to the Green Bay 7.
On the first drive of the second half, Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert dropped the football, and Johnson recovered the fumble at the Texans’ 43. The turnover led to a 41-yard field goal by kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn that put the Texans ahead 16-7 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.
Then, on Green Bay’s final drive of the game, defensive back Tremon Smith intercepted a Benkert pass at the Houston 21.
Taylor starts, plays one series
The Texans entered training camp with 53 new players, and there were questions about just who would start in the team’s first preseason game against the Packers, especially after three starters were added to the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
Starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil and potential starting guard Tytus Howard were added to the list on Friday, along with reserve tackle Roderick Johnson.
Geron Christian, acquired by the Texans off waivers in May, started at left tackle in place of Tunsil. The rest of the starting offensive line was as expected: Justin McCray at left guard, Justin Britt at center, Max Scharping at right guard and Charlie Heck at right tackle.
Tyrod Taylor, who signed a one-year contract with the Texans, started at quarterback and appeared in just one drive, which against the Packers. Taylor was 4 for 4 passing for 40 yards on a drive that ended with a 37-yard field goal by Fairbairn.
Phillip Lindsay, a free agent signee who last played in Denver, started at running back and recorded five carries for 14 yards.
On defense, Vernon Hargreaves III started at cornerback in place of Bradley Roby, who was added to the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Terrance Mitchell, who started for the Cleveland Browns last season, started at corner opposite Hargreaves. Jacob Martin and Jordan Jenkins started at defensive end, and Ross Blacklock and Vincent Taylor started at defensive tackle.
The Texans deployed a 4-2-5 look on their first drive, with Neville Hewitt and Kamu GrugierHill at linebacker, Lonnie Johnson and Eric Murray at safety and Desmond King playing slot corner.
Receiver Miller hurts shoulder
Texans receiver Anthony Miller suffered a “slight” dislocation on his shoulder and will have an MRI, Texans coach David Culley said.
Miller was carted off the field just before the end of the third quarter and did not return to the game.
Culley also said Greenard suffered a “little ankle sprain” on Saturday, and the team is not yet certain how serious that injury is.