The surging Houston Texans will be without standout defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for the next four games.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL has suspended Mario Edwards Jr. four games due to his violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He’ll be eligible to return for the team’s Week 11 road game against the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football.”
Houston moved to 5-1 after Sunday’s 41-21 blowout victory over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. They’ll visit the Green Bay Packers this Sunday before returning home for a Week 8 contest with the AFC South rival Indianapolis Cols.
The Texans will visit Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 9 before traveling to Detroit for a Sunday night clash with the Lions in prime time.
Texans DT Mario Edwards Jr. is suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.
Edwards will be eligible for reinstatement on November 11 following the Texans’ Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 14, 2024
The 30-year-old Mario Edwards Jr. signed with the Texans in free agency after spending last year with the Seattle Seahawks. He already has two sacks to go along with one fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Mario Edwards Jr. only needs just two more sacks to match his career-high that was set with the Chicago Bears during the 2020 season. But that opportunity is in jeopardy after being hit with a four-game suspension.
For his career, Edwards Jr. has 23.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven pass breakups in 120 NFL games. He has also played for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
Texans Have Enough Depth To Get By Without Mario Edwards Jr.
Losing a starting defensive player is never convenient, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations like the Texans. The good news is that DeMeco Ryans and company have more than enough playmakers on defense to get by without Edwards for four games, namely superstars Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
GM Nick Caserio also has the option to shore up his defensive line depth via the trade market, with the Nov. 5 deadline right around the corner.
