Austin

Deculus

This is great news. Chargers RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) and backup LT Austin Deculus (ankle) are listed as questionable as well. All three offensive tackles practiced in a limited capacity each day this week. The Chargers’ offensive line is tasked with fending off the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defensive scheme on Thursday night. Getting one or both of the team’s starting offensive tackles back would go a long way toward keeping QB Justin Herbert upright.

He was limited twice last week in practice before being called doubtful and scratched on Sunday. The Chargers also had Austin Deculus (ankle) and Trey Pipkins (knee) limited on Monday, leaving Foster Sarell and Bobby Hart as their current healthy alternatives on the roster. Hart started last week, and Deculus was relieved by Sarell with both Alt and Pipkins inactive. It would be nice if Alt could be ready for Week 8, but it doesn’t feel like something we can count on at this point.

Deculus got rolled up by a diving Colts pass rusher on the Chargers’ first drive, causing concern for a high-ankle sprain. He was ruled questionable to return shortly after being taken off the field for medical examination. No official word on the severity has been given. Deculus’ injury is bad news for Justin Herbert’s pass protection. Deculus got the start in place of LT Joe Alt, who is dealing with an ankle injury of his own. Chargers DL Otito Ogbonnia is also questionable to return in Week 7 against the Colts after suffering an elbow injury on the Colts’ fourth offensive play. Ogbonnia was attempting to tackle Colts RB Jonathan Taylor when teammate LB Denzel Perryman lowered his shoulder to assist in the effort. Unfortunately, Ogbonnia’s upper arm was pressed against Taylor’s upper body and Perryma’s shoulder slammed into Ogbonnia’s elbow and forearm, seemingly stressing the elbow joint from the outside. Ogbonnia remained down after the play before being escorted off the field by Chargers trainers.

Deculus started one game in three years for the Texans after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. He’ll slide in as depth for the Chargers as they try to patch through losing Rashawn Slater for the season.

Sims was signed this offseason and given a chance to earn return duties. An undrafted free agent who broke into the league with Washington in 2019, Sims caught 14 passes for 104 yards with the Steelers in 2022. In addition to Sims, the Texans also waived/released OL Rashaad Coward, CB Jacobi Francis, OT Austin Deculus, OG Keaton Sutherland, LB Garret Wallow, and RB Larry Rountree.

Houston will only have O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins (an elevation) active at tight end with TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) also ruled out on Friday. WR Tyler Johnson is active for the first time this season. Also inactive for the Texans are OL Austin Deculus (ankle), CB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, DL Michael Dwumfour, and DL Demone Harris.

Brown going may cut into the viability of OJ Howard as a barebones TE streamer this week -- Brown bounced back from a Thursday DNP with a full practice on Friday. Both will have some freed up targets by the absence of Brevin Jordan (ankle), who was ruled out on Friday. Also inactive for the Texans are DL Kurt Hinish (foot), OL Austin Deculus (ankle), DB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, and WR Tyler Johnson. No practice squad elevation for Jeff Driskel means the Texans will actually use backup QB Kyle Allen for the first time all season.

Johnson, who was claimed on waivers, seems to not be completely up to speed with the playbook just yet. Rasheem Green was the only player actually listed on the injury report, with a thigh injury that had him questionable, after the team sent Mario Addison to injured reserve. It’s a little surprising to see the supposed backup quarterback Allen inactive. Wallow, too, seemed to have his backers in the building though he missed plenty of training camp with an injury.

Deculus (6'5/321) was a four-year starter at right tackle for the storied LSU program. In fact, he appeared in the most games in school history, appearing 61 times and starting 46 games. A member of the undefeated LSU National Championship team, Deculus is known for his leadership and mentorship, and he’ll add maturity to any team he joins. Deculus obviously has experience, reliability and durability in spades, but there are some issues, most notably his athleticism, and he earned just a 62.6 PFF grade in 2021. He’s stiff, so speed rushers can blow by him, and he can’t explode into the point of attack to move people in the run game. He has good hands that will allow him to hold his own in pass protection, and he knows what he’s doing out there. If Deculus can leverage his experience (3,381 snaps) and size, he can make it in the NFL despite the lack of elite athleticism.

Wire (6'6/311) has been seeing more time at right tackle at fall camp in place of Austin Deculus, who is currently dealing with an unspecified injury. With the redshirt sophomore in the fold LSU takes a hit from an experience standpoint, as Wire appeared in six games last season. Deculus is LSU’s lone returning starter on the offensive line, and an extended absence would be a significant blow for the Tigers to absorb.