Houston Texans starting outside linebacker Brooks Reed will be sidelined for three to four weeks after he suffered a groin injury in the second quarter of Thursday's overtime win against the Detroit Lions.
Reed could actually miss as many as six weeks, but it will just depend on how well the rehabilitation process goes. The injury happened when Reed was covering a Lions player on a deep route.
The Texans are already thin at linebacker as Brian Cushing tore his ACL in Week 5 against the New York Jets.
With only five games left in the regular season, the Texans are hoping to get Reed back in the lineup back in time for the playoffs.
Starting in Reed's place will be the Texans 2012 first-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus. So far this year, Mercilus has 25 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and has broken up one pass.
Mercilus was not used all that much this season, but that changed in Week 7 where his role increased. For the season, Mercilus has primarily been the backup for Reed and Connor Barwin.
Reed has 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and has knocked down three passes this season.