In devastating news for Derek Newton and the Texans, the right tackle tore both patella tendons Monday against the Broncos, report Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). Worse, that’s not the full extent of the damage, per Rapoport and Garafolo.
This will prematurely end an injury-plagued year for Newton, who was carted off the field in the first quarter in Denver. Newton missed the Texans’ win over the Colts last week with an ankle problem and sat out the preseason with a hamstring issue.
The 28-year-old Newton has long been a rock for Houston, having appeared in at least 14 games in each of his first five seasons in the NFL. The 2011 seventh-round pick came into this season with three straight 16-game campaigns under his belt and has started in all 68 of his appearances since 2012.
After Newton went down, the Texans replaced him with the experienced Chris Clark. The 31-year-old entered Monday with 36 starts, including five this season, and 86 appearances on his resume.