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'Will continues to wreck practice': Texans have a good problem with star DE

DeMeco Ryans might need to hold Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. out of practice in the coming weeks.

Not because he's hurt or dealing with a lingering issue. It's far from that.

For the safety of the rest of the players and the ability to run drills properly, benching the recently-paid defender might be the only way that goal can be accomplished.

It might be a slight issue for Ryans during drills, but it's a great problem for the Texans to have as they look to get over the hump and play for their first conference title appearance next January.

“Will continues to wreck practice,” Texans Ryans said Thursday while laughing. “I’m probably going to have to sit him out here soon because we have to be able to actually practice. He just keeps wrecking practice. Let’s just keep doing that, keep causing havoc.

“That’s what he does. I was showing guys, that’s what he does on Sundays as well. So, it’s no surprise that Will is the guy for everyone to watch the intensity at which we operate. That’s how Will Anderson plays. That’s how I want everybody to be.”

Anderson, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2023, continues to improve entering his fourth season. How much better can he get? That's the terrfying thought since he peaked last season as Houston's top defender, finishing top 10 nationally in sacks, pressures, QB hits and tackles for loss amid a 12-win campaign.

By the end of last season, Anderson was unstoppable. The Texans knew that type of production was irreplaceable, which is why they coughed up a new three-year, $150 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL while locking him up with the franchise through 2030.

In three seasons, Anderson has blossomed into perhaps the league's second-best pass-rusher, trailing only All-Pro and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. In the regular season, he's a constant 10-plus sack artist, but has thrived in the postseason, totaling eight sacks, eight tackles for losses and 11 quarterback hits in six playoff games.

“There’s definitely more for Will,” said Ryans. “On the field, he’s always fine-tuning his craft. He’s working extra. He’s working on the small intricacies of hand placement and those things as a pass rusher."

Every rep or drill at practice, someone in the stands comes away with a "wow" moment from the Terminator. On the sidelines, no one is surprised what he's able to accomplish.

“Nothing that Will does surprises me,” Texans Pro Bowl corner Kamari Lassiter said. “During football, outside of football, nothing that he does surprises me. He’s one of a kind.

"I feel like he hasn’t even tapped into the level that he really wants to tap into and that’s the scary part.”

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 'Will continues to wreck practice': Texans have a good problem with star DE

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