Kenyon Green is headed back to the injured reserve.
Green, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Houston Texans’ loss to the New York Jets on Thursday night, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
The Texans (6-3) could potentially bring him back if they were to go on a postseason run, the but odds are unlikely given the severity of the injury.
Could Thursday have been Green’s final time in a Texans’ uniform? It’s possible given his insufficient play and injury concerns over the past three seasons.
#Texans guard Kenyon Green dislocated his left shoulder and will be placed on injured reserve, per league sources. It was immediately diagnosed as a dislocation. He missed last season with a torn labrum @KPRC2 https://t.co/QbFmIFt5jc https://t.co/tEOyUTncGT
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 1, 2024
Green, a native of Humble and former first-round pick out of Texas A&M, has failed to live up to his top-15 draft status. While his run blocking improved, his protection remained a liability up the middle while protecting C.J. Stroud.
According to multiple reports, Houston tried shopping Green around to other teams but received no interest. The Texans also have been linked to potentially adding a veteran like Chicago Bears offensive lineman Nate Davis.
Quick Bits: I’m told the #Texans explored preliminary trade interest with an NFC East team for 2022 1st-rounder G Kenyon Green, as of at least two weeks ago, per source. There was not an immediate appetite for a deal. @BovadaOfficial
As Carousel Season approaches, league… pic.twitter.com/NRwgnHILrO
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 31, 2024
A two-time All-American at Texas A&M, Green will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season. Houston could elect to trade him for minimal value since there’s no guarantee he will make the active 53-man roster.
It’s unlikely that Houston will pick up his fifth-year option, making Green a free agent in 2026. He has a $5 million cap number for the 2025 season.
Kendrick Green replaced the former first-round and fared slightly better but not by much. He allowed six pressures and a sack against the Jets and was a key contributor to allowing a season-high eight sacks on the evening at MetLife Stadium.
#Texans starting G Kenyon Green is expected to be out for the season with the shoulder injury he suffered last night, sources say. Bad reality for the former first-rounder. pic.twitter.com/7PA3YPLaLv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2024
What will the Texans do in Kenyon Green’s place? Houston will likely start guard/center Jarrett Patterson, whenever he returns from concussion protocol if it doesn’t make a move before the Nov. 5 deadline if the right player appears.
Houston might also consider moving Patterson to center and allowing Juice Scruggs to see reps at guard. Last season, the second-round pick started the final five games at left guard after clearing the injured reserve.
As for Kenyon Green, even with a promising offseason, his days in Houston could be numbered.
Houston returns to NRG Stadium next Sunday to take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football at 7:15 p.m. CT.
