Tackle Derek Newton’s injuries might end his career.
Bent backward awkwardly against the Denver Broncos, Texans offensive tackle Derek Newton suffered a horrific rare set of injuries Monday night that are regarded as serious enough to be considered career-threatening.
Newton traveled back to Houston on Tuesday after remaining in Denver overnight after tearing both patellar tendons while falling during his attempt to block Broncos star outside linebacker Von Miller.
Newton may have sustained additional damage to his knees, and a magnetic resonance imaging exam and X-rays will be performed in Houston, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Newton was unable to travel on the Texans’ charter flight back to Houston and has been experiencing severe pain. His legs have been immobilized. He can wiggle his toes. He will be placed on injured reserve.
Difficult rehab
Surgery will eventually be performed to repair a significant amount of damage. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews already has consulted with Newton.
“We’re still gathering a bunch of information,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’ll obviously be out for the season. I can’t give you any specifics on the injuries and things like that because we still have doctors’ visits.
“He stayed overnight in Denver and he’s on his way back now. I feel bad, just a tough injury, but I know he’s going to work hard to come back.”
Newton is expected to be in a wheelchair for several weeks before progressing to crutches and then walking within three months as he starts rehabilitating from an injury that has prevented NFL players in the past, including former Chicago Bears wide receiver Wendell Davis and former Cleveland Browns cornerback Gary Baxter, from resuming their careers.
“I am not aware of an NFL athlete who came back to play at a similar level after this injury,” said former San Diego Chargers team doctor David Chao, who doesn’t treat Newton. “The injury is very rare. It’s not a once-ayear 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.
“Look how long it took Duane Brown to come back from a torn quadriceps tendon, and this is much more serious. I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s also a torn ACL involved. I feel bad for the kid. A ruptured patellar tendon is three times worse than an ACL. Guys who tear an ACL like Geno Smith walk off the field. ACL surgeries are arthroscopic. A patellar tendon is an open surgery, a major reattachment. This is a very big deal for him to come back from.”
The former seventhround draft pick from Arkansas State was replaced in the lineup by veteran swing tackle Chris Clark.
Teammates were visibly distraught about Newton’s injury.
Hard worker
In his sixth NFL season, Newton, 28, is playing under a five-year, $26.5 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed and a $3.75 million signing bonus.
Newton faces an uphill fight to ever play again, let alone reach his former playing standard.
“Man, that hurt a lot,” Texans left tackle Duane Brown said. “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-pounder missed the Texans’ game last week against the Indianapolis Colts 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.
In his sixth NFL season, Newton is playing under a five-year, $26.5 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed and a $3.75 million signing bonus.
“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 that 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 doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. We have a tight-knit group. We hold each other accountable and get things done together.”