While the Houston Texans still should be viewed as the favorites to win the AFC South, their defensive line depth took a hit on Monday morning.
Veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal this offseason, has been suspended for the first six games of the season after violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs, the league announced Monday.
Autry, who did not practice on Monday in front of fans, released a statement saying that while he denied the use of PEDs, he would accept the punishment. He also apologized to the organization, fellow Texans teammates and the fans.
“Over the course of my ten-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs,” Autry said in a statement. “Over that period, I have been subject to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result. I was, stunned this offseason when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result.
“I want to assure our fans that my commitment to competing to the best of my ability has only grown and I look forward to returning to the field.”
#Texans DE Denico Autry is being suspended 6 games for violating NFL policy against performance enhancing drugs.
He has released a statement saying, “It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance.“
Full: pic.twitter.com/1zc7k8eyTb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2024
Autry, who totaled a career-high 11.5 sacks last season, was expected to be an essential part of the Texans’ front seven in 2024 as an upgraded replacement for Maleik Collins. The 34-year-old offers a unique blend of size, power and speed that can be used at both defensive tackle and defensive end.
That was a selling point for Houston in the offseason. Now, the Texans must pivot to someone else for the role, but who?
Should they look to promote from within, the closest player to Autry’s skillset is Mario Edwards Jr. A fellow veteran who signed this offseason. Edwards has experience seeing reps on the outside for run plays and up the middle on passing downs.
Autry was the better player, having totaled 59 career sacks between his 10 seasons, though Edwards’ 21.5 sacks still are impressive for a player with reps at multiple spots.
“Wherever coach wants me to make a play and make it happen,” Edwards said Monday following practice. “It doesn’t matter to me. I play all up and down the line, wherever they need me to play.”
Houston potentially also could see a similar role for Jerry Hughes, who signed a one-year deal to return before the start of the regular season. In a sense, he played the position well last season as the No. 3 edge rusher behind Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard.
Mario Edwards is now listed as a DT on the roster after being listed as DE up to this point. Has been playing inside and very well up to this point.
He will also be at the podium today along Jimmie Ward and Noah Brown.#WeAreTexans
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) July 29, 2024
Much like Autry, he would also shift inside on passing down to bolster the interior pass rush up the middle against quarterbacks.
Should the Texans elect to bring in someone from free agency, Carl Lawson could be the top name on the market. A former starter for the Bengals and Jets, Lawson has experience playing in a similar defensive front under Robert Saleh.
Before Ryans took over as the 49ers defensive coordinator, that title belonged to Saleh. Over his three seasons with the Jets, Lawson, 29, totaled seven sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Other names who could fill Autry’s place on the defensive line include Charles Harris, Yannick Ngakoue, Marquis Haynes, Rasheem Green, and Kyle Phillips.
– Speed to Power by Carl Lawson
– Cross Chop/Club/Rip by Bryce Huff
– Hesi/Stab/Club by Quinton JeffersonAll meet at the QB! #passrush #nyjets #takeflight pic.twitter.com/XRIJwbZ5uF
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 18, 2023
Autry will be eligible to return on Oct. 14 following the Texans’ Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. He can still participate in team activities, including practices and preseason games until the regular season begins.
The suspension will begin the first week of September. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans will address the situation further on Tuesday following practice.
The Texans leave Wednesday for Canton, Ohio, to take on the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday night.
