The Houston Texans’ defensive line has been outstanding this season, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been enjoying themselves. For the second time this season, the Texans are accusing an opposing offensive lineman of dirty play.
Texans defensive end Antonio Smith, who complained after the Week One game with Miami that Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito had played dirty, was complaining again after Sunday’s game against the Titans. This time, it was Tennessee tackle David Stewart who drew Smith’s ire.
“I saw some things I’ve never seen before,” Smith told the Houston Chronicle. “I saw [Stewart] try to pull [Texans linebacker Brooks Reed’s] hair out, tried to ride somebody’s back, which I thought was kind of funny, actually.”
Texans linebacker Connor Barwin said Stewart and Incognito are a lot alike.
“He’s like Incognito,” Barwin said of Stewart. “Everybody will say it — he’s a dirty player. He threw a punch at me. He threw a punch at Brooks.”
Texans safety Danieal Manning referred to Stewart as “crazy,” but the Texans also said Stewart’s antics motivated them to play harder. Whatever opposing offensive linemen are doing against the Texans, it isn’t working.