Houston Texans suffer major blow with latest injury news

A recent stretch of five wins in seven games unexpectedly placed the Houston Texans in the heart of the playoff race, despite a bevy of obstacles thrown their way. They’ll have to clear another major hurdle if they plan to keep their current place in the postseason hunt.

Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard—who was initially slated to be Houston’s starting right tackle in 2023, before health issues on the O-line forced him to slide over to left guard—will miss the rest of the season with a left knee injury suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets. Per KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, the injury involves Howard’s patellar tendon, and he will undergo surgery to repair the issue.

Howard is on injured reserved for the second time this year, as he missed the first four games of the season with a broken hand. Rookie Juice Scruggs—who appeared in contention for the Texans’ starting center spot before suffering a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the team’s first 10 games—replaced Howard during Sunday’s game, making his NFL debut.

The 2023 Pro Football Focus grades for Howard aren’t pretty, as he ranks last among all Texans offensive linemen in both pass protection and run blocking situations, though this could be more a byproduct of playing out-of-position than an indictment on the 27-year-old’s performance. And given Houston’s injury woes on the offensive line this year, Howard’s absence is bound to be significant.

Protecting rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud likely played a factor in the Texans rewarding Howard with a three-year, $56 million contract extension this summer. After not allowing a single sack for three straight games, Houston has given up 11 in the past two weeks. The Texans’ latest injury development doesn’t exactly inspire optimism that this troubling trend will come to an end.

Houston will return to action Sunday at NRG Stadium against the Denver Broncos. Both teams sit at 6-5 and just outside the AFC playoff picture.