Aireontae Ersery’s rookie season is shaping Houston’s O-line into a gritty, smash‑mouth unit. With four new starters and Ersery locking down a blindside, the Texans aim to reduce sacks and boost Stroud’s development behind a tougher, more cohesive line. The blend of Ersery, Tomlinson, Ingram, Andrews, and Fisher signals a reset in both pass protection and run blocking, framed by Popovich’s finish‑and‑drive coaching style.

Stroud’s praise of Ersery captures the vibe: trust, back‑to‑back toughness, and a willingness to grind. The preseason hints at a more cohesive pocket and improved run lanes, even as Laremy Tunsil’s move to Washington looms in the background. If the chemistry sticks, fantasy managers could see a sturdier Texans offense elevating Stroud and Houston’s skill players in 2024.

Washington activated Terry McLaurin from the physically unable to perform list, but he has yet to step on the practice field as contract talks continue. The move isn’t framed as a sign of progress, and McLaurin will miss Monday’s preseason game versus Cincinnati while he recovers from an ankle issue. The Commanders will also sit veterans Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Laremy Tunsil, Von Miller, Sam Cosmi and Marcus Mariota in the exhibition, with Jayden Daniels slated to start the regular season opener plan: McLaurin’s return-to-play protocol will guide his early-season timeline, likely delaying a full ramp-up but keeping him on track for Week 1 at home against the Giants on Sept. 7.

The roster notes emphasize a careful, stepwise return, and coach Dan Quinn stressed the club’s process as McLaurin’s deal remains unresolved. For fantasy managers, the absence of McLaurin in practice and the preseason suggests monitoring a ramp schedule, while the offense leans on the supporting cast and the developing quarterback play in the early weeks before McLaurin’s full involvement returns.

Aireontae Ersery flashed as Houston’s left tackle in his NFL debut, drawing early praise from Baldy for length and hand usage as he faced Vikings edge Dallas Turner. The Texans’ 10-play opening drive culminated in a Mills-to-Berrios TD, signaling both a fresh start for an overhauled line and a path toward fewer sacks after last year’s 52 allowed. The piece also outlines Houston’s offseason OL overhaul, including the culling of Tunsil and Mason and the addition of Brown, Robinson, Tomlinson and Ingram, and frames Ersery as a potential cornerstone of the rebuild with immediate fantasy relevance should protection improve.

As fantasy-specific takeaways, the breakdown suggests Stroud and Mills could reap the benefits of better pass protection, while Braxton Berrios could see steadier targets in a more competent offense. Ogunbowale’s involvement on the opening drive indicates a versatile backfield that could diversify Houston’s weekly floor and ceiling. Ersery’s performance against a first-round Vikings rookie also provides a blueprint for how soon the Texans’ line might stabilize and unlock deeper playmaking from the unit surrounding the rookie.

The Commanders’ offense hasn’t clicked in camp as a wave of injuries and absences slows install. Kliff Kingsbury pins the lull on missing playmakers, led by Terry McLaurin, with three weeks to sort it out on the grass. Washington added Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to bolster playmaking and protection, but chemistry remains a work in progress as reps are split and the starting line shifts.

Last season the unit scored well and moved the ball high in points and yards, led by Daniels’ elevated efficiency with McLaurin in the red zone. Yet the current camp reality—McLaurin’s absence, Cosmi’s ACL recovery, and inside-page injuries—keeps the offense from building the week-to-week rhythm fantasy players crave. The focus now is time on task, building rapport between Daniels and McLaurin, and getting everybody back on the grass over the next three weeks to find a cohesive, explosive rhythm.

Dan Quinn spotlighted two Commanders linemen—Sam Cosmi and Brandon Coleman—as Washington navigates an imperfect, injury-plagued group. Cosmi is still returning from a torn ACL suffered in January’s playoff win at Detroit, while Coleman has missed time and is transitioning from left tackle to left guard after an earlier pectoral and knee issues. Nick Allegretti has stepped in at right guard and earned praise for his leadership and versatility. The unit emphasizes timing, knowledge, and communication, with Laremy Tunsil noted as the new left tackle on the line. Quinn stressed the value of reps together, even as Coleman inches back into practice, and highlighted Allegretti’s readiness to fill wherever needed as a stabilizing force for the group.

The focus on interior cohesion underscores how fragile line chemistry can be, especially with Cosmi’s absence and Coleman’s health questions. The mention of Tunsil suggests Washington is prioritizing protection on the left side, potentially easing pressure on the quarterback and opening lanes for the running game. Quinn’s comments about Allegretti point to a clubhouse-leader type who can keep the line aligned and accountable during a patchwork season. Washington will likely lean on depth and continuity as they push toward a more stable five-man unit.

For fantasy-minded fans, the recurring theme is supply risk along the Commanders’ line. If Cosmi or Coleman misses time, Allegretti’s role could grow, increasing the fantasy relevance of players tied to Washington’s interior blocks. A healthier Cosmi returning to the lineup would boost both pass protection and run-block efficiency, potentially elevating the commanders’ play-action and RB targets. The Detroit playoff remnant adds context for the Lions’ defense to exploit, but the line’s cohesion could shift ownership in waiver-wire and DFS formats as the season progresses.