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Houston Texans Lose a Massive Starter for the Remainder of 2023 Season

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Andre Ifill | Last updated 11/29/23

Although the Houston Texans are having a great, expectations-defying season, they’re still prone to taking blows. Last Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the rival Jacksonville Jaguars was rough enough, but out of it also came a significant injury. Starting lineman Tytus Howard had to be carted off due to a knee injury. Now, it’s being reported that he will have season-ending surgery to repair it.

Howard’s season will only end after seven games played, all starts. He began the 2023 season with a broken hand, costing him the first four games of the season. The Houston Texans had Howard starting at left guard this Sunday, with Juice Scruggs replacing him following the knee injury.

The Texans originally drafted Tytus Howard as a tackle in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Alabama State product started at least 14 games each of the past three seasons and was rewarded with a $56 million contract extension. He should be back for the Texans next year.

Houston Texans Outlook Moving Forward

Losing an important man up front hurts, but the Houston Texans need to keep pushing if they want to make the playoffs. The Jacksonville loss snapped a three-game winning streak and hurt their AFC South title chances. However, Houston is currently tied for the final AFC wild-card spot, thanks to an offense that’s 10th in points per game.

Houston’s next challenge is one of the two teams that they’re tied with, the Denver Broncos. Getting the head-to-head edge there will be significant, and Houston is helped by home-field advantage. A lot of football remains, but the Texans are also tied in the standings with the Indianapolis Colts right now. That Week 18 season finale could be a battle for the final playoff spot. Of course, the Houston Texans need to get that far first, and it’ll have to happen without Tytus Howard.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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