The Houston Texans’ second preseason depth chart doesn’t come with a lot of drama attached to it. Most of the board looks familiar, with the starters holding their spots, the second and third units staying put, and Kai Kroeger still handling the punting job after last week’s preseason action.
The one spot that does jump off the page is right tackle.
That’s where the Texans still haven’t locked into a single name. Last week, they left the position open because the competition between Trent Brown and Braden Smith was still alive. Brown is trying to win back the job he held last season, while Smith arrived as a free agent with the expectation that he could be the Week 1 answer.
Both have made strong cases in camp. Brown was productive for Houston a year ago when he was healthy, and Smith was brought in and paid to start. For now, neither has fully separated from the other.
On the first preseason depth chart, the Texans essentially listed the spot as “Trent Brown or Braden Smith,” which fit the reality of their opener. Brown sat out, so Smith got the nod for one drive to begin the first quarter.
This week could be different. Houston is set to face the Las Vegas Raiders, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this weekend that the expectation is for the roster to be active and playing if they’re healthy. That means both Brown and Smith could see work at right tackle on Thursday night, though the Texans still aren’t tipping their hand on who will start.
They’ve already shown more certainty at center, where first-round rookie Keylan Rutledge is overwhelmingly expected to open the year atop the depth chart. Right tackle, though, remains the real question mark.
At the moment, it still feels like a true toss-up between Brown and Smith. The matchup with Las Vegas may give the clearest look yet at which way Houston is leaning before the Texans face the Buffalo Bills.
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