Just when we thought the Houston Texans injury issues couldn't get any worse, news broke on Wednesday revealing another starter will be missing at least 4 weeks of the season.
Texans right tackle Tytus Howard was placed on IR Wednesday.
Just on the offensive line, the Texans have lost left guard Kenyon Green for the season, center Scott Quessenberry for the season, center Juice Scruggs and tackle Tytus Howard for the next four weeks. Ouch.
Howard suffered a broken hand and had surgery on August 7, with an expected return date 4–6 weeks after the surgery.
Howard was practicing with a cast on just yesterday, with many questioning the likelihood of him being available this Sunday against Baltimore.
#Texans Tytus Howard (hand surgery) practicing, in a cast, not practicing: Jimmie Ward (groin, dental procedure), Blake Cashman (strained hamstring), Christian Harris @KPRC2 https://t.co/Xk5mYhXple
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 4, 2023
Now, he's done for the next four weeks. So what happened between yesterday and today? Did Howard aggravate the injury during practice, or was he just out there to make the Ravens think he might be available to play? Hard to know for sure.
This Monday marked four weeks since the surgery, and now we'll have to wait another four weeks before Howard is eligible to return. George Fant, who was signed by the Texans in early August, will start in Howard's place this week.
Fant started 36 games for the Jets over the last three seasons, so he does have some experience. The Texans being cautious with Howard makes a lot of sense. The team signed him to a 3-year, $56 million contact extension in July.
So what's the plan for Sunday against Baltimore?
Aaron Wilson is reporting this could be the starting offensive line:
Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Josh Jones (recently traded for from the Cardinals) at left guard, rookie Jarrett Patterson at center, Shaq Mason at right guard, and Fant at right tackle.
Not exactly what the Texans envisioned for CJ Stroud's first regular season start.
