Clark impresses on short notice
Offensive tackle says his ‘head is spinning’ after start.
It was understandable that newly acquired Texans offen sive tackle Chris Clark was a bit overwhelmed by his new surroundings Thursday night.
Clark was acquired in a trade from the Denver Broncos for a 2016 seventh-round draft pick this week and has been involved in a crash course with offensive line coach Mike Devlin to try to absorb a vastly different playbook and terminology.
Projected as the Texans’ new swing tackle because of his interchangeable skills as a left tackle and right tackle, Clark started against the Cowboys in a preseason fifinale and wasn’t entirely pleased with how things went despite factoring in the diffifficult y of his personal circumstances.
“It went pretty well,” Clark said. “I had some good things and bad things. That’s part of football. I’m trying to take it all in and keep pushing forward. My head is spinning.
“This is a tough deal. You haven’t been in the fifire with these guys. Everything is totally different. I’ve been trying to study and get extra hours in after practice. I’m trying to be perfect.”
Texans running back Chris Polk said he was impressed with how Clark did in his fifirst game since joining the team.
“It’s really diffifficult , especially at a position like lineman,” Polk said. “You have to know defenses, how plays are blocked. It was phenomenal that he was out there, and to do what he did, it’s a testament to him and his character.”
Clark said his transition to a new team is being eased by the presence of his father and brothers in Houston.
“It’s defifinitely an honor to be a part of this team,” Clark said. “I’ve always liked the Texans. To be a part of this program and what they’re build- ing going forward, there’s a lot of positivity. I have a lot of family in Houston. That helps a whole lot as I try to get this brotherhood and learn with my brothers on the fly.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien was generally complimentary of Clark.
“Tough situation on coming in midweek,” O’Brien said. “That’s kind of the way it is with our philosophy and how we do things. Sometimes, that happens, but I thought he went in there and battled. He’ll get better and better as we keep teaching him the offense. We’ve just had him a couple of days and went in there and had to play a game. That’s a credit to him.”
Backup QB out 4-6 weeks: Texans thirdstring quarterback Tom Savage got good news Friday when he learned he will not need surgery on his injured right shoulder.
Savage, who was hurt late in the Texans’ 21-14 preseason loss to the Cowboys, has a severe sprain and should be out four to six weeks.
After the game, Savage was in excruciating pain, holding his right hand against his chest to protect his right shoulder. He was injured when defensive tackle Davon Coleman hit him and knocked him to the ground. Savage left the game and didn’t return. He underwent an MRI on Friday that showed the sprain and not a fracture.
Rookie lineman to have surgery: Texans rookie offensive guard Chad Slade is undergoing back surgery Saturday, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Slade went undrafted out of Auburn.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder will need several months to recover from the procedure and is a candidate to be placed on injured reserve.
Slade started 49 career games at Auburn.