Despite the Houston Texans being in a state of flux the past three seasons, Christian Kirksey has provided the linebacking corps with stability.
The former Cleveland Brown and Green Bay Packer has collected 217 combined tackles for the Texans through 30 games over the past two seasons. Whether it was David Culley on the sidelines or Lovie Smith, Kirksey was on the field as the unit’s standard bearer.
New coach DeMeco Ryans has spent the offseason workouts and three days of training camp with Kirksey, but it is long enough to know the significance the former Iowa product brings to the defense.
“Kirko [Kirksey] has been an excellent leader,” Ryans told reporters July 28 at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Just watching his leadership, seeing the man that he is, it’s been fun to work with him.”
Where Ryans especially appreciates Kirksey’s presence is among younger linebackers such as third-year Garret Wallow, second-year Christian Harris, and rookie Henry To’oTo’o. Kirksey isn’t afraid to share with his possible replacements tips and tricks to blossom.
Said Ryans: “He’s been great working with our younger guys, as well. Kirko is a guy who can play all three spots. So, he’s played Mike [middle], he’s played Will [weak side] and Sam [strong side], so, he’s a guy that’s smart enough to move around to multiple spots, so, he adds some versatility to what we’re doing.”
In addition to Kirksey’s versatility, the veteran linebacker is showing the rest of the corps how to approach the game.