Left tackle Lamm still learning on the job
Expected starter tries not to make ‘same mistake’
Texans left offensive tackle Kendall Lamm has experienced the speed of the NFL in many ways this season. Some have been of the unwanted variety.
When the former undrafted free agent was installed as the starting left tackle for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he struggled mightily against a strong pass rush and was replaced by Chris Clark.
Lamm was briefly off the roster and then resigned after four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown was activated for one game with the Texans before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, Lamm is expected to start on the left side after Clark was placed on injured reserve with a highankle sprain and a bone bruise.
“I’m just going to try to go in there, as I did this last game, and do what I can,” Lamm said. “You can’t let the critical plays happen. When the time does come, you just prepare and execute. You just do what you do.”
During the loss to the Ravens, Lamm had another dificult learning moment.
Matched against Ravens six-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs after Clark got hurt, Lamm got beaten off the football immediately. A former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, Suggs delivered a strip sack of quarterback Tom Savage that was recovered by the Ravens.
Lamm is an industrious type who made the Texans’ roster three years ago after an all-conference career at Appalachian State. He’s intent on growing from these experiences heading into a Sunday road game against the Tennessee Titans.
“I grew up watching Suggs,” Lamm said. “You never want that to happen. At the same time, you have to capitalize on the opportunity. Watching the film and breaking it down, I understand what I did wrong. You learn from it and you try not to make the same mistake.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien didn’t commit publicly to Lamm as the starter when asked about his status Thursday. Rookie tackle Julie’n Davenport has an AC shoulder sprain and hasn’t been playing. Earlier this week, O’Brien mentioned right guard Jeff Allen as being a potential option at tackle.
Lamm is probably the Texans’ top option, though. Inserting him as the new starter with Clark out would allow the Texans to avoid a major line shuffle.
“Look, we like Kendall Lamm, but we have a number of candidates to play over there,” O’Brien said. “We’ll let it play out. Offensive line, you’ll probably find out who’s playing on the offensive line relative to starting on Sunday.”