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Houston Texans: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Linebackers

By Bob Dove

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reacts with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) after intercepting a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium . Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reacts with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) after intercepting a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium . Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates with defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (not pictured) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates with defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (not pictured) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good, Bad and Ugly are all possible for the linebacker position group. If the starters stay healthy The Ugly is off the table. Unfortunately, the injury history makes that a big “IF”. What are the impacts and the chances of each happening?

The Good – The linebackers must stay healthy and J. J. Watt must return to form early in the season. In that scenario 11-5 is likely and 12-4 possible. Likelihood – 5%

The Bad – An injury to a starting linebacker or a slow return by Watt could cause the linebackers to have less impact than initially expected. 10-6 and a trip to the playoffs is still reachable but a stretch.  Likelihood – 30%.

The Ugly – It takes a series of season ending injuries to put worst case in play. It can happen, but so can a zombie apocalypse. Let’s hope the Watt surgery is not a bad omen. Likelihood – <5%

Next: Projected Depth Chart

The projection for the defensive line and the linebackers are intertwined and primarily revolve around two players, J. J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. If both are healthy for most of the year the defense can carry an improving offense deep into the playoffs.

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