The Texans came up short in their preseason opener against the Chargers, but Marlin Klein walked off the field with something just as valuable: momentum.
Houston’s second-round rookie tight end made an immediate impression in Thursday night’s 27-7 loss, turning in one of the clearest bright spots on offense in his first NFL action. Klein finished with a single catch, but it went for 31 yards and showed exactly why the Texans were intrigued by him coming out of Michigan.
On the play, Klein slipped behind the defense on a seam route and flashed the kind of size-speed combination that can make him a real problem when he gets loose vertically. At 6-foot-5 and around 250 pounds, he brings the kind of frame that can stress defenses down the middle of the field.
That wasn’t the only part of his debut that stood out to DeMeco Ryans. The Texans coach also liked what he saw from Klein as a blocker, which matters just as much for a tight end trying to earn steady playing time.
“I thought he really shined today. Everybody saw the pass that he caught.
It’s where I see him where he can excel for our offense and just open the offense. His catch radius is tough to guard it.
Watching him blocking in the running game, I saw him finishing some blocks there exactly how we want it done. So a ton of positives there for him.”
That kind of review carries weight because Klein’s path in Houston doesn’t have to be built only on receiving production. The Texans have a deep tight end room, so if he wants a real role as a rookie, he’ll need to bring value as both a target and a blocker.
There’s also the matter of how he keeps fitting into offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system. If Klein continues to threaten defenses down the field while sharpening his work in the run game, he gives Houston another way to create mismatches.
It’s only one preseason game, so nothing is settled yet. But Klein’s debut gave the Texans plenty to like: a 31-yard grab, physical work in the run game, and a first look at a rookie who can contribute in more than one way.
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