HOUSTON – – coach Lovie Smith might be in charge of the entire roster, but hes a defensive-minded guy by trade. And while hes expecting , there has to be a sense of pride for how his defense has looked through two preseason games. In back-to-back weeks, the Texans pa s rush has been one of their strengths. Last week in its , Houston tallied five sacks and three takeaways. In the teams camea similar result. While the Texans couldnt force a turnover, they did manage to sack quarterbacks John Wolfword and Alex Erickson Jersey Byrce Perkins six times for a lo s of 36 yards. We feel like we have depth on the defensive line, especially at the defensive end position, Smith said postgame. It’s good to see them and you are going to need them throughout.Smith isnt worried about who is getting the takedown, just so long as pre sure is being applied. Then again, its always a positive sign when the projected P.J. Walker Jersey starters are the ones making noise. Linebacker Christian Kirksey started off the night with a sack on second down against Wolford for a lo s of five. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard began the third drive blitzing off the edge for a lo s of 10. Two plays later, defensive tackle Roy Lopez swallowed Wolford behind the line of scrimmage for a lo s of six, forcing a Los Angeles punt. They finished it off well getting decent pre sure, Smith said We have depth there.Normally, the preseason means little in the grand scheme of a season’s outlook. Thats not the case with Houstons pa s rush, which finished bottom-five in both sacks (32) and pre sure rate (20.7 percent) in 2021. Greenard will receive most of the national attention due to his succe sful campaign last fall. Limited to just 12 games, the former third-round pick recorded team-highs in sacks (8.0) and tackles for lo s (9.0) on the way to a 4-13 record. Scroll to ContinueSmith is expecting a double-digit sack season from Greenard. And hes not the only pa s rusher whos caught the veteran defensive coordinator’s eye. Against the Saints, Houston native and former Rams defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo tallied three pre sures, a sack and a forced fumble. At SoFi Stadium, reserve defensive end Demone Harris recorded a crucial Phil Hoskins Jersey sack on third-and-11, forcing the Rams to settle for a 43-yard field goal.The depth continues all the way down to practice squad players as well. Take of instance Derek Rivers, a five-year veteran at defensive end who spent last season off the Texans 53-man roster. So far this preseason, hes recorded four pre sures and a pair of sacks. We have a real close-knit group, Rivers said of the defensive line room. When you’ve got that and guys kind of like holding themselves and learning Giovanni Ricci Jersey , take things from one another because we continue to learn every single day.Of the Texans current 14 members of their defensive line, eight have at least one sack this preseason. The number could’ve been higher, but Smith elected not to play veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addision through the first two outings.Houston will end its preseason at home against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 25. and