Rookie Review: Who Has Texans Most Excited After Undefeated Preseason?
HOUSTON — Rookie defensive back Jalen Pitre came up huge for the Houston Texans early during their 17-0 preseason victory against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday night at NRG Stadium.
The San Francisco 49ers stood on the Texans' 35-yard line and decided to go for it on fourth down. Second-year quarterback Trey Lance handed the ball to running back Trey Sermon, who failed to gain any yardage due to Pitre recording a tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
Following the game, Pitre credited his fourth-down stop to Houston's defensive line. The Texans' front seven featured an additional rookie who assisted in the stop in Kurt Hinish.
Hinish, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, finished the night with three tackles and a sack in the Texans' victory against the 49ers.
"That was the defensive line," Pitre said after the game. "They did a great job penetrating. Like coach Lovie Smith preaches, 'just do your job and the ball will come to you.' He [Sermon] came back to me and I was able to make the tackle."
The combination of Hinish and Pitre was a portion of the reason the Texans left their preseason finale confident in their freshmen class. The 2022 rookie class put on a dominating performance against the 49ers, showing signs of optimism ahead of the 2022 campaign.
"We are trying to keep it real simple," Pitre said. "We have been playing football for a long time, and we are here for a reason. We are going out there and having fun while during our job and staying true to our assignments."
Houston's rookie class also played a significant role in the Texans' offensive performance. Houston had four offensive drives where they recorded over 20 yards, led by rookies Dameon Pierce and Kenyon Green.
Pierce recorded 37 yards on six carries during Houston's first offensive drive of the game, which resulted in the first rushing touchdown of his pro career.
The Texans gained 65 yards with Pierce in the backfield. But when Smith elected to go with Rex Burkhead on the next drive, the Texans netted seven yards.
Green made his NFL debut and put on a solid performance. His best play of the night took place early in the third quarter when he created a hole that led to veteran running back Marlon Mack rushing for a 24-yard gain.
Mack's run led to the Texans finishing their first drive of the second half with an 18-yard touchdown pass between quarterback Davis Mills and Chris Moore.
"Dameon Pierce has been that way every time we've given him the ball — he's a good football player," Smith said. "Eventually, Kenyon will be in the lineup. I like what the offensive line has done, but I cannot wait to see our starting group start playing together."
Each rookie drafted or signed throughout the offseason has made plays throughout training camp and the preseason, which could result in the Texans finding success throughout the 2022 campaign.
"Jalen has been consistent throughout," Smith said. "He's a smart player. He's been like a sponge as far as learning. But he's going to be around the ball. That's what we've seen since OTAs. I'm excited about going forward with him and him lining up for us when Indy comes into town."
Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Houston Texans? Click Here
Follow Texans Daily on Twitter and Facebook
Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @LockedOnTexans today! Click here To Listen.
