The Texans hope to retain left tackle Duane Brown — who is currently in the midst of a contractual holdout — and don’t intend to trade him, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. However, Houston could conceivably consider an “appropriate offer” for its starting blindside protector, per Florio.
Brown needs to play in at least eight games this year in order to accrue credit for his 2017 season. However, Brown will likely need to report following Week 6 in order to be safe, as Florio outlines. The Texans are expected to be granted a roster exemption for Brown that could last as long as three weeks. If Houston’s front office holds out Brown for that maximum timeframe, Brown won’t be able to be present for his needed eight contests.
Brown, 32, has been pushing for a new deal since at least May, and didn’t participate in Houston’s minicamp, training camp, or preseason. The Texans don’t seem inclined to work out a fresh pact with Brown, while Brown himself has indicated that he will in fact play at some point in 2017. As of September, general manager Rick Smith and Brown’s representatives weren’t talking.
Houston has turned to Kendall Lamm (one start) and Chris Clark (four starts) in the wake of Clark’s absence, but both players have offered sub-par performances. Specifically, Pro Football Focus ranks Clark as the No. 55 tackle among 72 qualifiers. While the Texans’ offensive line has played well in the run game, the unit is 31st in adjusted rack rate, according to Football Outsiders.
Brown is currently signed through the 2018 season, and is due non-guaranteed base salaries of $9.65MM and $9.75MM over the next two years.