Juice

Scruggs

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik told reporters earlier today that “the offensive line combination and whether to start Shaq Mason or Juice Scruggs” (ankle) in the right guard spot will be debated all week. The Texans’ offensive line continues to be an issue but the Texans evidently expect to have both players available this week, which is a plus.

The interior of the offensive line became an issue against the Chiefs in Week 16 as the Texans struggled to sustain drives. Running back Joe Mixon averaged 4.1 yards per carry as well, which is right at the seasonal average allowed by the Chiefs. That’s bad news for a team fighting for playoff seeding with a matchup against the Ravens in Week 17, who are one of the only teams in the league to allow fewer yards per carry than the Chiefs in 2024.

CJ Stroud’s pass-protection issue won’t be improving any time soon. Scruggs’ injury deals a brutal blow to a struggling offensive line. Despite the problems up front, the 8-5 Texans sit atop the AFC South, for the time being.

Last year’s 62nd overall pick is battling a groin injury that the team doesn’t believe is serious or long-term; however, his backup Jarrett Patterson has taken all of the first-team reps in practice this week. Given how important the center is for adjusting protections and holding the offensive line together, it would be a slight downgrade to the entire Texans offense if Scruggs were to miss time.

Wilson adds, Scruggs’ “groin injury is not regarded as serious or long-term.” The injury is unfortunate, nonetheless. The Texans’ offense was hampered by an oft-injured offensive line last year. Scruggs, himself, missed the season’s first 11 weeks due to a hamstring strain. Hopefully, Scruggs can avoid setbacks in his recovery.

The rookie was drafted with the 62nd overall pick this season and was expected to start from the beginning of the season before hurting his hamstring in the final preseason game. While not being an elite athlete, Scruggs is a patient and smart blocker, who understands angles and assignments. He showed well in the preseason and would be an upgrade for the offensive line if/when he’s able to get back onto the field.

Scruggs was selected by the Texans with pick 62 in the 2023 draft, but landed on injured reserve before getting the chance to start at center. He suffered a hamstring injury prior to the season and is expected to be activated within the next few weeks. An ideal scenario is for Scruggs to return against the Saints in Week 6, otherwise a post-bye return against the Panthers in Week 8 is likely. Scruggs’ return would provide a boost to a banged-up Texans offensive line.

This one hurts a bit. The Texans traded up earlier this offseason to land Scruggs with the No. 62 overall pick in this year’s draft and were expected to slot him in as the starting center. Scruggs will now miss at least the first four games of the season and will be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Falcons.

The Texans surrendered the No. 65, 188 and 230 picks for the right to move up three spots. On paper, Scruggs is about as average as they come, though he’s functionally athletic, as evidenced by his 7.96 RAS. What sets the active center apart is his ability to sort through chaos and always come up victorious on the play leverage front. His patience in the pass game gives the facade of toying with pass rushers. In the run game, he works hard to get to his spots and forces defenders to bend over backward to avoid getting run over. Scruggs will need to improve on staying over his feet to take full advantage of his build and IQ. He is certainly capable of contributing to a line rotation relatively early in his career.