Texans starting linebacker almost recovered from shoulder surgery

The Houston Texans received updates on two injury situations with the potential to carry over into training camp, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. It looks like Houston will see a defender back at full-speed, while an offensive starter may have a bit further to go.

Firstly, Wilson reported that free-agent addition Denzel Perryman is nearly back to full-strength after recovering from labrum shoulder surgery. The former Raiders linebacker missed games last year with a dislocated shoulder before ultimately undergoing the procedure. The 30-year-old has graded out as a top-30 linebacker in each of his two years in Las Vegas, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He is projected to start beside Christian Kirksey and Christian Harris in 2023.

On the offensive side of the ball, last year’s rookie starter at offensive guard, Kenyon Green, is still making his way back from an arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent this offseason. New head coach DeMeco Ryans was noncommittal on when Green would return. “We’ll see where Kenyon is come training camp,” Ryans told reporters. “For Kenyon, he has to be ready to go, and the work he puts in over the next few weeks will see if he’s ready and ready to go out and compete.”

Here are a few other rumors coming out of H-Town:

• The Texans were recently able to add free-agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin to their secondary. According to another report from Wilson, Houston wasn’t the only team with interest in the veteran corner. Griffin claims that along with his former outfit in Jacksonville and his new team in Houston, there was interest from both the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders. While Griffin only made one visit to Houston, his trip to Texas was enough to sell him on the team’s scheme and “energy.”
• Houston was recently able to reach an agreement to extend defensive tackle Maliek Collins to a new two-year, $23M deal with a reported $20M of guaranteed money. Recent updates adjust the latter number slightly. Collins was actually guaranteed $20.5M, including a $10.5M signing bonus, his 2023 base salary of $2M and his 2024 base salary of $8M. His contract will also include a per-game active bonus of $29,411, for a potential season total of $500k.
• Lastly, there was a bit of a shakeup in the Texans’ front office last weekend. According to Wilson, former chief of staff Nick Kray is no longer with the organization. Kray came over with Ryans from the same position in San Francisco when Ryans took the head coaching gig in Houston. Since his departure, assistant to the coaches Jake Olson has taken over Kray’s duties. Olson was recently added to the staff after stints as Kent State director of football operations and Yale chief of staff.