90 Ross Blacklock DT

Blacklock played just seven snaps in Week 15's 27-20 loss to the Colts.

With the Texans out of the playoff hunt, Blacklock, a 2020 second-round pick, should be getting developmental playing time, but his performance was lacking last week, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Blacklock typically plays between 15 and 20 snaps per game, but he was knocked around by Colts' blockers early on and finished with no statistics.

Blacklock is expected to get more playing time Week 9 against Jacksonville, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Interim head coach Romeo Crennel acknowledged Blacklock, a second-round draft pick in 2020, and rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard could see more time this week. That may be partially due to three defensive players contracting COVID-19, but also because the 1-6 Texans need to develop young talent during a season that's spun out of control.

Blacklock played a season-high 32 percent of defensive snaps and recorded his first tackle for a loss in the Week 6 loss to the Titans.

Blacklock, Houston's top draft pick in 2020, has played in all but one game and has recorded four tackles. The second-round pick was held out of the Pittsburgh game for disciplinary reasons. At 1-5, the Texans outwardly state the season is about winning as many games as possible, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, but they could eventually use the disappointing season to develop rookies.

Blacklock was ejected from Sunday's 33-16 loss to Baltimore, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blacklock was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the fourth quarter and ejected. The rookie second-round pick recorded one tackle before leaving the field.

The Texans selected Blacklock in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 40th overall.

Houston addressed its defensive interior with its first pick of this year's draft by nabbing the impressive Blacklock out of TCU. Blacklock is viewed by most as one of the best defensive tackles in the class. He had 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a senior in 2019 en route to being named first-team All-Big 12. Blacklock has the versatility to play multiple spots along the line.