The Texans have announced that middle linebacker and defensive captain DeMeco Ryans will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles. The injury was largely a fluke, as Ryans was defending a pass in the second quarter and fell down untouched. Nonetheless, it leaves the Texans in a very unenviable position. Already down three linebackers, they had to turn to waiver wire pickup David Nixon to finish the game at outside linebacker.
Thankfully, the team has a bye to sort out their options, but the Texans run defense should take a pretty big hit without Ryans on the field. This could be the tipping point that takes a really bad defense to a historically bad one.