Texans Turn to Rookie Aireontae Ersery as Starting Left Tackle vs Rams
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From Draft Pick to Day 1 Starter
When the Texans selected Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the biggest question was simple: where would he play? At Minnesota, Ersery was a left tackle. In Houston, the team had just signed longtime veteran Cam Robinson to a one-year, $12 million deal. With Tytus Howard’s versatility and uncertainty inside, speculation swirled that Ersery could open his career at right tackle or even guard.
Fast forward to Week 1, and the answer is clear: Ersery is listed as the starting left tackle against the Los Angeles Rams. What once looked like a developmental plan has quickly turned into one of the most important lineup decisions of the Texans’ season.
How the Shift Happened
Through OTAs and most of camp, Robinson worked at left tackle, Ersery lined up on the right side, and Howard manned right guard. That alignment gave Houston a blend of veteran stability and rookie upside.
But when Robinson suffered a minor leg injury late in camp, everything shifted. Ersery moved to left tackle, Howard slid back to his natural right tackle spot, and Ed Ingram took control of right guard in Nick Caley’s gap-heavy scheme.
Initially, the expectation was that Robinson would reclaim his job once healthy. Instead, Ersery held on to first-team reps through joint practices, preseason action, and now the official Week 1 depth chart. He has earned the trust of DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ coaching staff to protect C.J. Stroud’s blindside right away.
Performance Over Paycheck
The decision to start Ersery speaks volumes about Ryans’ philosophy. Many teams would have slotted Robinson back in, pointing to his résumé and salary. Instead, Ryans doubled down on performance dictating playing time.
Robinson may be an expensive backup, but his presence gives Houston rare depth at a premium position. Between Ersery on a rookie contract, Robinson’s starting experience, and Howard’s ability to play across the line, the Texans enter the season with one of the league’s strongest tackle rotations.
There were even reports recently that the Texans were shopping Robinson before the season, a sign of how confident they’ve grown in Ersery’s rapid development. Not long after, Houston dealt swing tackle Austin Deculus, further clarifying the pecking order in the room. Robinson may now be viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity, but his presence still provides veteran insurance in case of injury and underscores just how drastically the depth chart has shifted in a matter of weeks.
Ersery’s Mentality
Since draft night, Ersery has embraced the challenge. He told Stroud directly: “I’ll die on that OL for you.” That toughness is exactly what Ryans demanded when he emphasized “nastiness” as a defining trait for the offensive line this offseason.
At the same time, Ersery keeps himself grounded. His mantra—“ADS, (ain’t did shit)”—serves as a reminder that accolades in camp mean nothing once the real games begin. That edge-and-humility balance is crucial for a rookie protecting one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks.
Big Picture Impact
The Texans’ offensive line has been under scrutiny since last season, when the group ranked among the league’s bottom third. That spotlight only intensified this offseason when the team traded away Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering how Houston would protect C.J. Stroud’s blindside. By elevating Ersery to starting left tackle, the Texans have chosen to accelerate the development of a potential cornerstone while still maintaining veteran insurance in Robinson.
It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off in a big way. If Ersery thrives, Houston may have quickly settled what became one of the biggest questions of the offseason—giving Stroud the protection he needs to lead a team with deep playoff run aspirations.
Week 1 against the Rams will be the rookie’s first real test, lining up against the likes of Jared Verse and Byron Young off the edge. The journey from draft pick to Day 1 starter has been fast, but Aireontae Ersery looks ready to anchor the Texans’ offensive line for both the present and the future.
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