Josh Hines-Allen is a two-time Pro Bowler and was picked seventh overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
So even though Hines-Allen only had a half-sack, one pass deflected and two tackles, Houston Texans rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery feels he did not do a good enough job at keeping the Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE rusher at bay in Houston’s 17-10 loss at Everbank Stadium on Sunday.
The Texans are the two-time reigning AFC South champs yet are 0-3 with three straight one-possession losses, two of which have come on the road. Their minus-13 point differential is by far the best of any 0-3 team and even superior to one-win teams, the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.
What Did Aireontae Ersery Say About Taking Responsibility For Houston’s Loss?
Ersery was the sixth tackle chosen in the draft, selected 48th overall out of Minnesota in the second round in April.
He has largely held up well at protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud’s blindside, since Stroud has been sacked eight times and being pressured on just 14 percent of his passes — by far the lowest number of his career.
Yet, Ersery was upset after he could not contain Hines-Allen on Houston’s potential game-tying drive. Trailing by seven with 27 seconds left in regulation, on third-and-1 at the Jacksonville 27-yard line, the Jacksonville EDGE tore around Ersery and tipped Stroud’s throw, which landed in the arms of safety Antonio Johnson.
“I take responsibility,â Ersery said. âI didnât play up to the standard, and that ainât gonna never do it. Iâve gotta be way better, so just keep my process the same. But just work way harder and push myself to the limits and hope that everything just turn out good for me.“
Ersery was picked to replace incumbent left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to the Washington Commanders in the off-season. But even though he has played OK through his first three starts — he has a 50.5 grade according to Pro-Football Focus, which ranks 77th out of 97 qualifying tackles while playing all 175 offensive snaps for Houston — Hines-Allen logged a team-high three hits on Stroud.
Ersery was also charged with three penalties, including a costly facemask penalty that stunted another potential Texans scoring drive in the second half.
âI think just over trying to strain and open holes up for the running back and protect CJ and give him time,â Ersery said. âThose things can be fixed. But itâs a game, so things happen. So, just gotta keep working.â
What Did C.J. Stroud Say About His Game-Sealing Interception?
Stroud is not blameless for his interception, since he double pumped on the throw. But the third-year QB credited Hines-Allen and Johnson with executing.
“They went to like this two-man kind of coverage, and I thought C-Kirk was open,â Stroud said. âI thought maybe we would have scored. My arm got tipped, so unfortunate there. They made a good play. Thatâs the NFL.
âIt just sucks because I thought I had C.K. down the middle, and I thought we had a good drive. We were moving the ball pretty well, so thatâs unfortunate.â
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