Backup Houston Texans offensive lineman Derek Newton was slow getting up during a drill in Wednesday's practice, but when he heard about Duane Brown was taken off the field due to an injury he knew at that point he needed to prove himself:
"When I turned around, I saw (Brown) getting up slowly off the ground, and I was like, ‘Man,' " Newton said. "And when he came over, they were like, ‘He could possibly have a high ankle sprain.' I was like, ‘It's time to step up. I've got to get right.' "
Newton was a seventh-round draft pick out of Arkansas State in 2011, and had no offseason activities which hurt his growth coming into the league. Last year, Newton was active in 14 games and he knows that he can be called upon at any time in a game this year since he is being counted on to be able to play both left and right tackle.
Even though Brown is not expected to miss too much time it did create more reps for Newton in Wednesday's practice, and possibly more this week depending on how many days Brown is out. Newton feels that by being able to be in an offseason program this off season that he is getting better and feels more confident and focused, plus he wants to show the coaches that can be counted on once the regular season begins.
Read more on the Texans at the Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston, and visit SB Nation's NFL hub for news around the league.
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