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Where will the Texans turn after Denico Autry’s suspension?

Theo

The Houston Texans are still considered favorites to win the AFC South, but their defensive line suffered a setback on Monday morning.

Veteran defensive player Denico Autry, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract in the offseason, has been suspended for the first six games of the season for violating NFL policies on performance-enhancing drugs, the league announced Monday.

Autry, who did not practice in front of fans on Monday, issued a statement saying that while he denies using performance-enhancing drugs, he accepts the punishment and apologized to the organization, his teammates and the fans.

“Over the course of my 10-year NFL career, I have never used any performance-enhancing drugs,” Autry said in a statement. “During that time, I was subjected to countless tests, none of which ever returned a positive result. I was stunned this offseason to learn that one of my tests returned a positive result.”

“I want to assure our fans that my commitment to competing at my best has only grown and I look forward to returning to the field.”

Autry, who totaled a career-high 11.5 sacks last season, should be a key part of the Texans’ front seven in 2024 as a replacement for Maleik Collins. The 34-year-old offers a unique blend of size, strength and speed that can be used as both a defensive tackle and defensive end.

That was a selling point for Houston in the offseason. Now the Texans need to find someone else to fill that role, but who?

Should they look to promote from within, the player closest to Autry’s skill set is Mario Edwards Jr., a seasoned veteran who signed this offseason. Edwards has experience seeing reps on the outside on running plays and up the middle on passing attempts.

Autry was the better player, totaling 59 sacks in his 10 seasons, but Edwards’ 21.5 sacks are still impressive for a multi-position player.

“Wherever coach wants me to make a play and execute it,” Edwards said Monday after practice. “I don’t care. I’ll play anywhere on the line, wherever they need me.”

Houston could also potentially see a similar role for Jerry Hughes, who signed a one-year deal to return before the start of the regular season. In some ways, he played the position well last season as the third edge rusher behind Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard.

Similar to Autry, he would also move inside when passing to support the pass rush through the middle against the quarterbacks.

Should the Texans decide to sign a free agent, Carl Lawson could be the top name on the market. A former starter for the Bengals and Jets, Lawson has experience on a similar defensive line under Robert Saleh.

Before Ryans took over as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, that title belonged to Saleh. In his three seasons with the Jets, the 29-year-old Lawson totaled seven sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Other names that could take Autry’s place on the defensive line include Charles Harris, Yannick Ngakoue, Marquis Haynes, Rasheem Green and Kyle Phillips.

Autry will be eligible to return to play on Oct. 14 following the Texans’ Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. He can continue to participate in team activities, including practices and preseason games, through the start of the regular season.

The suspension begins in the first week of September. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans will discuss the situation in more detail on Tuesday after practice.

The Texans travel to Canton, Ohio on Wednesday to face the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night.

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