Brian Cushing of the Texans Is Out for the Year and Other AFC South Must-Reads

It wasn't a surprise, but it's a blow.

As expected, Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans will be out for the year with a torn ACL, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle thinks the hit that took him out was illegal.

The injury is the first significant setback for a team that has been largely healthy. Cushing is obviously a key cog in the machine that is Wade Phillips' defense, but the unit should still perform without him.

The Texans are plenty good enough to absorb one injury; as long as it doesn't turn into an epidemic of key players getting hurt, they shouldn't miss a beat. As Stephanie Stradley of the Houston Chronicle writes, it's a "next man up" situation.

Even with Cushing, the Texans were soft against runs up the middle, and Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com encourages other teams to pursue that strategy.

Over the next few weeks, we'll see how the defense adjusts. There will be setbacks, simply because the schedule of offenses gets better.

General Interest

Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders posts this week's DVOA numbers.

Indianapolis Colts

Scott Kacsmar of Bleacher Report says Andrew Luck gives the Colts a chance to win.

Matt Grecco of Stampede Blue goes inside the numbers.

Kacsmar, this time writing for Cold Hard Football Facts, says the Colts have the biggest comeback of the year.

Rivers McCown of Football Outsiders looks at the Indianapolis comeback.

Shawn Maher of Cold Hard Football Facts says the Indy hogs played hard.

Houston Texans

Bill Barnwell of Grantland says the Texans shouldn't have punted at the end of Monday's game.

Brian Burke of Advanced NFL Stats tracks just how good J.J. Watt has been.

Tennessee Titans

David Boclair of The City Paper says ankle injuries have slowed the Titans.

John Glennon of The Tennessean gives five reasons for the Titans' collapse.

David Climer of The Tennessean says the Titans are bad.

Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean says Kenny Britt thinks he's getting healthy.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union says Maurice Jones-Drew is tired of losing.

Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union says the Jaguars are flailing.