The Houston Texans did a full overhaul of their offensive line this offseason. A major part of this was the regression of quarterback C.J. Stroud last season. Part of his regression was the fact that he was always under pressure. The Texans were a bottom-five run blocking unit and ranked in the bottom 10 overall. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season so change was necessary.
What may not have been expected was the trade of Laremy Tunsil, but sometimes rebuilding requires tearing things down first. That left a gaping hole on the left side of the line. The good news, the Texans had draft capital and the 2025 draft had multiple tackles available in their range. The bad news, they chose to address the position in free agency.
Cam Robinson was signed after stints in Jacksonville and Minnesota, where he was serviceable. Robinson never lived up to his first round value and has found himself on the fringe of being a starting tackle in the NFL based on Pro Football Focus' grading system. That being said, the Texans had a need.
Offensive tackles are a premier position in the NFL, and, rightfully so, it protects the team's most valuable asset on the field. When Robinson signed with the Texans, it might have been seen as a deal. However, he is still paid as a top 20 tackle despite his top-60 performance.
Texans LT Cam Robinson is Being Leapfrogged by Rookie Aireontae Ersery
Revisiting that good news from above, the Texans did invest in a tackle in the second round of the draft. Aireontae Ersery, of the University of Minnesota, was seen by some as a potential first-round pick. When he was drafted, the hope was that he would grow into a starting tackle in a year or two, whether that be on the left or right side. It seems he may be ahead of those projections.
Despite Cam Robinson being back in pads today, the #Texans first team OL remains the same for practice-opening walk through.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren_3) August 19, 2025
LT Ersery
LG Tomlinson
C Andrews
RG Ingram
RT Howard
Per Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle, Ersery started today with the first team unit "despite Cam Robinson being back in pads". This went back and forth during today's practice, but Ersery both started the day and ended the day with the first unit. Robinson did get in a little work with the first unit in the second team session.
It makes sense for the Texans to rotate in players with the starters. There is no telling when injury may strike, and it's better to build chemistry in practice than during a game. The Texans have worked with multiple lineups during the offseason to find the best fit. Ersery has often found his names with the starters but typically at right tackle.
When Robinson went down with a minor injury in practice, that opened the window for Ersery. With Tytus Howard seemingly entrenched on the right side as a result of the need to shake things up, the offensive line is starting to take shape. That's bad news for Robinson. There is an old saying that the best ability is availability.
Unfortunately for Robinson, health issues may have paved the way for him to lose his job. Nobody wants to get "Wally Pipp'd," but Robinson may have just had it happen. With the rest of the O-line seemingly coming into place, he looks to be left on the outside looking in and outside of an injury, will likely stay there.