NFL: Texans TE Daniels fears knee injury season-ending
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Walking on crutches and with his head hung low, Owen Daniels feared his season might be over after the Houston Texans’ star tight end hurt his right knee on Sunday.
“I’m concerned,” Daniels said following a 31-10 victory. “It doesn’t feel good.”
Daniels, who entered the game leading NFL tight ends with 497 yards receiving, said he’s scheduled to have tests on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
Coach Gary Kubiak didn’t sound optimistic when discussing the player’s injury.
“It doesn’t look good,” Kubiak said. “Obviously, (trainers) feel like he may have done some damage. I better be careful, but it does not look good.”
Daniels was hurt on Houston’s second possession when he was running a route and caught his foot in the turf. He said it’s possible a defender might have bumped or grabbed him just as he was making his cut. He went down and lay on the field for several minutes before he was helped up by Texans trainers and unable to put any weight on his right leg.
His injury is potentially a big blow to an offense that has been among the NFL’s best this season, and marks a setback for a team that’s off to a franchise-best 5-3 start. Daniels entered the game leading Houston with 39 catches and five touchdowns.
The injury also comes at a critical time for the fourth-year player, who is in the final year of his contract.
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” Daniels said, about his contract status. “Worst-case scenario, I’ll definitely be ready to go next year.”
The Bills (3-5), who enter their bye week, lost four starters to injuries. Right tackle Jamon Meredith, who’s filling in for injured starter Jonathan Scott (ankle), was carted off after spraining his right knee in the first quarter. Defensive end Aaron Schobel, who got his 73rd career sack, was sidelined by a groin injury late in the second quarter.
Starting outside linebacker Keith Ellison couldn’t finish after hurting his quadriceps. And rookie starting safety Jairus Byrd, who had two interceptions, hurt his groin late in the fourth quarter.