Houston will be out defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. for the next four weeks.
Houston Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. was having a breakout season to start his 2024 campaign. The former second-round pick started the team’s first six games of the season, as he subbed in for Denico Autry, who was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Now, Edwards will have to face a suspension of his own. On Monday, the NFL announced that Edwards will be out for the next four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
With Edwards out of the picture and Autry just now returning to the team, Houston will have to lean on Folorunso Fatukasi, Khalil Davis and Tim Settle Jr. on the defensive interior this week against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have done a great job of running the ball in 2024, as they’re already one of two teams that have eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing this season. A shaky defensive tackle situation for the Texans should only incentivize Green Bay to lean into their run game even more this week.
Going into Week 7, Houston’s defense is one of the better units in the league. Currently, they’re averaging just 277 yards per game allowed, which is the third-best mark of any team in 2024.
The Texans and Packers have a combined record of 9-3 going into this matchup, with each team losing to the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the year. Along with Lions vs. Vikings, this game should be one of the premier games in the Week 7 slate.