Houston Texans: Why we may have seen the last of Duane Brown

The Houston Texans fell in a heartbreaking 41-38 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on the road but one fixture of the offensive line could be on the way out soon.

I’m talking about left tackle Duane Brown who returned back the field for the first time this season after holding out for contractual reasons. But because he wanted to get credit for time served this season, he had to return this week or else he would stand to lose money in future negotiations for a new contract. Whether it be with the Houston Texans or elsewhere, it’s something he could not afford to take the hit on.

But as things are meandering toward the trade deadline and the Houston Texans had an opportunity to “showcase” that Brown still has what it takes to be competitive to the Seahawks, it’s very possible that he could be traded before the deadline of this Tuesday at 3 p.m. CDT. Ian Rapoport has alluded to it and I even talked about the possibility a few weeks back.

It especially didn’t help his case when he publicly denounced and criticized Texans’ owner Bob McNair for his “we can’t have inmates running the prison” quip that he had at the owner’s meeting the week before last.

Here’s what he had to say:

Duane Brown on Bob McNair 'I think the comments were disrespectful and ignorant'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2017

In addition, he has been steadfast leading the movement of Texans players taking a stand on the filthy comments that McNair uttered out. The Texans owner did meet with the players Saturday before they took the trip to Seattle but Brown mentioned that it certainly didn’t go well. Although Brown is positively promoting team unity, his recent comments certainly don’t indicate the relationship between the two has been repaired.

Before the start of today’s game, during the national anthem, most of the players took a knee in protest of McNair’s comments. Nick Martin, Breno Giacomini, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Greg Mancz, Jon Weeks and Shane Lechler did stand during the national anthem.

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The latest of the rumors is the Seahawks could be dangling Jimmy Graham in exchange for Duane Brown because it’s apparent that their offensive line needs help in the worst way. They’re also relatively young outside of Oday Aboushi, a former Texan himself.

After being relatively a ghost on the Seahawks offense, Graham caught four balls for 39 yards and two touchdowns, with the second one in the waning seconds of the game. Graham certainly made a case for his value while Brown did the same thing.

Next: A plausible theory to Duane Brown's end game

Nothing got much past Brown during today’s game so the Seahawks continued to torch the right side of the line, which included Jeff Allen, Giacomini and Mancz. Deshaun Watson was sacked five times today which is certainly unacceptable with any standard.

So as the deadline inches closer, expect to have these trade talks heat up. You can book that.

Go Texans.

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