HOUSTON — The Houston Texans lost a key piece of their offense after reports that offensive lineman Tytus Howard will miss the rest of the season.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, Howard, who had left Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, suffered a knee injury and will have surgery to repair it.
The 2019 first-round pick and five-year veteran has started seven games this season on the offensive line for the Texans and is a critical component in protecting rookie star quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The Texans lost against division rival Jacksonville, 24-21, at NRG Stadium with the lead in the AFC South on the line.
Houston (6-5) fell into a tie with the Indianapolis Colts for second place in the division behind the first-place Jaguars (8-3) with the loss.
The Texans had a chance to force overtime with 34 seconds left Sunday, but Matt Ammendola’s 58-yard field goal attempt bounced off the crossbar.
The Texans look to get back on track when they wrap up a three-game homestand with a visit from Denver on Sunday. The Broncos (6-5) have won five in a row after dropping five of their first six games.