The Houston Texans’ Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts cost them more than the game. They also lost defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL. Edwards finished the season with six total tackles and a sack. Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke reacted to losing Edwards for the year.
“Heartbreaking, honestly, just for him, because I thought he came back. You guys have been around him. He's a joy to be around, just the energy and infectiousness and I thought he was playing some of his best ball. He's been part of our team for a few years now and I thought was really playing elite level,” Burke said. “The energy, the chase stuff, just getting to the ball. He's such an effusive personality and it just kind
of gets to everyone on the defense, so we're going to have to kind of pick that energy. I think he's a great player and made a lot of good plays for us, but I also think just the personality, the energy and the positivity and just that carries over to a lot of the rest of the defense. Everyone loves ‘Rio’ and we're going to make sure, have to make sure we replace that part of it and have someone that can, I'm not sure who's going to have his kind of quirkiness- but I'm going to miss him personally, for sure.”
This was Edwards’ third season with Houston. A former second-round pick, he played in 27 games for the Texans and started 12 games back in 2024. Given that he will be turning 33 years old by February, it is unclear whether Edwards will play again in the NFL. He is also set to become a free agent after this season.
Kickoff on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys on FOX. With a loss, the Texans will need to go on a run, becoming the first team since 1992, when the San Diego Chargers made it to the postseason after starting off 0-4.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DC Matt Burke on losing DT Mario Edwards after torn ACL vs Colts
