Texans’ Justin McCray credits OL coach James Campen with transition to center

Houston Texans offensive lineman Justin McCray has played every position along the five-man unit in his career.

The former Tennessee Titans 2014 undrafted free agent from Central Florida is playing center for the Texans as starter Justin Britt works through a knee injury that kept him out of Week 6’s 31-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

What has helped McCray have the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line is his flexibility.

“I think it’s more of in the off season just stay flexible,” said McCray. “Doing a lot stretching and stuff like that. In season, just watching everything in film. Don’t pinpoint myself at one position. Look at the guys who play right defensive end, left defensive end, left three-technique, nose guards. Just knowing sort of who I’m going against the week before and just being able to do it like that.”

What has also been helpful for McCray is working with offensive line coach James Campen, who worked with McCray when the two were together with the Green Bay Packers from 2017-18.

“I started with Camp in Green Bay,” said McCray. He’s always trained me to be ready to play wherever. That’s what I’ve been doing pretty much my entire career.”

McCray says his least favorite position to play is left tackle.

“I’d probably say right guard, center, right tackle, left guard, left tackle,” said McCray, who ranked his positions from favorite to least.

McCray won’t have to play any tackle for Houston as they have Geron Christian at left tackle for Laremy Tunsil and Charlie Heck at right tackle for Marcus Cannon. McCray may have to fill in again at center as the Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 at State Farm Stadium. Britt is listed as questionable with a knee injury, but was a limited participant in Friday’s practice.