Derek

Newton

Newton never recovered after tearing both his patella tendons in 2017. His NFL career is in doubt.

Newton made a remarkable comeback from tearing both patella tendons to even get signed, but the Saints have signed OT Cornelius Lucas instead to “get more immediate help with injuries piling up on the o-line.” Newton could get another shot as long as other teams clear him medically.

31-year-old Newton has not played since rupturing both his patellar tendons in 2016. He will be the last-lineman on the bench for playoff-bound New Orleans.

Butler has an inside track on Eric Winston’s old job, but he’ll be pushed by Newton. “He’s doing really well,” Kubiak said of Newton. “We’re in shorts, so it’s hard to tell with big guys. Athletically and then now mentally, Newton’s catching up enough to battle for a starting spot.” Only one year removed from being a seventh-round pick out of small-school Arkansas State, it’s doubtful Newton is polished enough to truly challenge Butler.

The two rotated throughout the preseason, with Newton getting the nod in the pivotal third tuneup. The Texans scored two TDs on his two possessions. He’s a downgrade from Eric Winston, but the Texans still field one of the game’s premier zone-blocking offensive lines. Butler sticks as a quality swing tackle.

Newton was injured in Houston’s Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions. A 2011 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State, Newton has started every game this season on the right side, but according to Pro Football Focus has struggled mightily as a run blocker. Veteran Ryan Harris will fill in at right tackle this week.

Ryan Harris has come on at right tackle. Newton has 10 days to get healthy for Week 13, but it’s never a good sign when a player is ruled “out” as opposed to “questionable” for an in-game injury.

Both players missed all of OTAs. Newton underwent offseason patella tendon surgery, and Williams “tweaked” his knee during rookie minicamp. Veteran Ryan Harris has been getting the first-team right tackle reps in their absence, but one of Newton or Williams is expected to open the season as the starter.

The Texans practiced without their top two right tackles during OTAs and minicamp. Derek Newton (knee) started 14 games last season, and had offseason surgery to repair his patellar tendon. Brennan Williams (knee), a third-round pick from North Carolina, injured his knee in rookie minicamp in May. Both are expected to be ready for training camp on July 26.

Analyst Lance Zierlein concedes that Foster “didn’t look as consistently spry.” But he goes on to make a sound argument that the line -- especially RT Derek Newton -- failed to secure the edge. When defenders start flowing into the backfield, there’s no way Foster can execute the outside zone run successfully. Note that Newton is penciled in as the starting right tackle once again this season, with only Ryan Harris and rookie Brennan Williams to push him.