After tearing patellar tendons in both legs last October, Texans right tackle Derek Newton is not expected to play during the 2017 campaign, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
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Newton, 29, was facing a lengthy recovery process that included time in a wheelchair and an inability to walk for three months. Fellow Houston offensive lineman Duane Brown said Newton is “in great spirits” and is “doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible,” but also confessed Newton has “a long road ahead of him,” reports Barshop. At the time Newton went down, former NFL doctor David Chao described the incredibly serious nature of the veteran tackle’s injury.
“I am not aware of an NFL athlete, who came back to play at a similar level after this injury,” said Chao.. “The injury is very rare. It’s not a once-a-year injury. This is a once-every five years. This is harder to come back from than a torn ACL. To have two of them is devastating, but, yes, he should be walking in three months. There’s a big difference between walking and playing.”
Chris Clark, Newton’s replacement at right tackle, graded as the league’s sixth-worst tackle in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, so the Texans could possibly invest in an offensive lineman with pick No. 25. Ryan Ramczyk (Wisconsin), Garett Bolles (Utah), and Cam Robinson (Alabama) are among the best tackles that could be available near the end of the draft’s first round.