The Texans are heading into the back half of the season still searching for steadier play up front, and DeMeco Ryans is making it clear that Aireontae Ersery can be part of the answer if he brings a little more edge to every snap.
Ryans said the second-year offensive tackle has already shown he can help Houston on the outside, especially in pass protection. But the message coming out of the bye week was about raising the standard from play to play.
“Tae has done some good things for us, protected on the edge,” Ryans said. He added that the young tackle needs a more consistent “relentless motor” and must finish his assignments through the whistle.
That challenge comes with Houston sitting at 2-5, second in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars at 5-2. The Texans are still alive in the division race, and better work from the offensive line would go a long way toward helping them find some traction.
Ersery has been on the field for every game this season, starting all seven contests and logging 458 offensive snaps at right tackle. The numbers show both the promise and the problem. He has a 57.8 overall grade from PFF and a 66.7 pass-blocking grade, but he has also given up 22 pressures, including four sacks.
That’s why the coaching staff is pressing for more consistency now, not later. Houston is entering a crucial stretch, and the offense needs cleaner protection if it’s going to settle in and build any rhythm.
DeMeco Ryans on his evaluation of second-year OT Aireontae Ersery:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) November 3, 2026
“Tae has done some good things for us, protected on the edge.”
Ryans said the challenge for Ersery moving forward is to play with a more consistent “relentless motor” and finish through the whistle.
“He’s… pic.twitter.com/dV9I69XGw0
For Ersery, the second half is a chance to turn that coaching push into real progress. If he can keep his effort level high and finish the job on each snap, he could become a more dependable piece of the Texans’ front.
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