Starting right tackle Derek Newton is lost for the season after tearing both patellar tendons.
DENVER — The Texans’ offensive line was dealt a devastating blow during Monday night’s game when starting right tackle Derek Newton tore both patellar tendons, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
It is a season-ending injury that will require surgeries to repair the damage to both knees. Newton, who is in his sixth season, will be placed on injured reserve. The injury will involve a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Newton, 28, got bent backward during a play in the first half, falling to the ground in obvious pain. Air casts were placed on both of his legs before he was carted off the field.
“Man, that hurt a lot,” said left tackle Duane Brown, who helped get Newton onto the cart. “He’s like a little brother to me. I know how hard he’s worked and how much he puts into the game, battling through injuries quite a bit. I know how that feels. I went through something similar last year. My heart hurts for him. I’m praying for a speedy recovery for him.”
The 6-6, 315-pound former seventh-round draft pick from Arkansas State missed the Texans’ game last week against Indianapolis with an ankle injury. He has dealt with knee and ankle injuries this season. He was sidelined for the entire preseason with a hamstring injury.
Newton was replaced in the lineup by Chris Clark, a former Broncos starter acquired via a trade last August.
“To lose your brother like that, we hold him dear to our hearts,” Clark said. “When that happened to him, we all felt that internally. That’s not just another guy who went down. That’s our brother. Can you bounce back from that? I’m not talking about the team. I’m talking about him as a player. How do you even start rehab? What don’t kill you makes you stronger..”
Texans RB Miller takes early shot to shoulder
Texans starting running back Lamar Miller injured his shoulder as he took a shot along the sideline at the end of a 25-yard run in the first quarter.
Miller eventually went back into the game but was in and out of the lineup as he was pacing on the sideline and trying to get his shoulder loosened up.
Miller was replaced by backup Alfred Blue throughout the first half. Miller finished with 61 yards on 11 carries, while Blue gained 63 yards on 11 attempts.
Miller is coming off his best game of the season — a 149-yard rushing performance against the Colts during a comeback victory in which he ran for his first touchdown of the season and also caught a touchdown pass.
Broncos’ ground game accounts for 190 yards
Last week, the Texans allowed Indianapolis running back Frank Gore to rush for more than 100 yards. On Monday night, Denver’s C.J. Anderson ran for 107.
The Texans entered the game ranked 29th in the NFL against the run, allowing 126.3 a game. The Broncos generated 190 on the ground.
“We played really well up front,” Anderson said. “The offensive line was tremendous. I just picked the right spots and tried to run through tackles.”
Broncos LB Miller puts wins over sacks
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller didn’t seem too concerned about not getting a sack against the Texans.
“I take pride in wins,” he said. “I take pride in great defense. I think we did a really good job in the passing department. They got a couple of runs on us, but we did a great job on defense.”
Ex-linebacker Fletcher honored by Broncos
The Broncos inducted former University of Houston linebacker Simon Fletcher into their Ring of Fame along with safety John Lynch and kicker Jason Elam.
Fletcher is a Bay City native who is Denver’s all-time sack leader with 97½. He played from 1985 to 1995, appearing in 172 consecutive games in an impressive streak of durability.
Fletcher was known for his speed as a pass rusher. From 1989 to 1993, his sack numbers were 12, 11, 13½, 16 and 13½.