Houston Texans: Outlook on Demaryius Thomas Achilles’ injury

The Houston Texans lost more than their Week 16 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Houston Texans are now 10-5 after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in a crushing fashion as the Eagles kicker Jake Elliot sent the football through the uprights for a 32-29 victory. Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was unfortunately injured in the second half as he attempted to block in a screen pass for DeAndre Hopkins.

The injury was worrisome from the start as there was no contact in the incident and he wasn’t able to walk off the field under his own power, he had to be carted off the field. It was announced later in the game that Thomas suffered an Achilles injury which requires surgery and is a season ender. This is the second Achilles injury that Thomas has suffered, but this was in his left leg instead of his right.

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Thomas was traded in the trade deadline this season to be the second receiver across from Hopkins after Will Fuller went down with an ACL injury. The Texans are now in a dilemma as the Texans have lost two of their receivers due to season-ending injuries. Outside of Hopkins, the Texans have rookies Keke Coutee, Vyncint Smith, and veteran DeAndre Carter. Although Coutee has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury and Hopkins is playing through an ankle injury.

Thomas was far from the dynamic player that Fuller was, but he was a savvy veteran that helped the Texans in the running game with his ability and willingness to block. Through seven games, Thomas had 20 receptions for 238 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In his short time in Houston, teammates spoke glowingly of him and he was a good veteran presence in the locker room. Texans will have to adjust with his absence in a short amount of time with the playoffs looming in only a matter of weeks.

The Texans will have to search in the free agency market to find another receiver to compliment Hopkins, hold his own as a receiver, and have a good grasp of the playbook. Texans could look to bringing back a player that’s been in the offense in the past or begin to bring players for a workout early this week. The Texans have wide receivers Steven Mitchell, Amba Etta-Tawo, and Isaac Whitney on the practice squad.

Texans general manager Brian Gaine traded a future fourth-round draft pick to acquire Thomas, his $14 million cap hit next season is not guaranteed. The team was obviously not going to bring him back at that price but the option was still on the table for his deal to be restructured, it will be interesting to see how both sides proceed with such a serious injury.