Andre Johnson Injury Update: How Is the Houston Texans Star's Hamstring?

It seems like the Houston Texans cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries, but losing Andre Johnson to a hamstring injury may be the biggest blow yet.

This is a team that many expect to do big things in 2011, and there has even been talk that they can make some noise in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, losing Johnson may be an absolutely crippling blow for this up and coming team. He is arguably one of the best receivers in the NFL, and he single-handedly keeps the Texans in any game.

He's their star and he's the heartbeat of this young team.

Hopefully this injury isn't as serious as it looked, but right now things aren't looking good for the Texans.

Injury Update

It originally looked like a knee or groin injury, but ESPN is reporting that he actually hurt his hamstring:

"

Houston receiver Andre Johnson left the Texans' game against the Steelers with a right hamstring injury and will not return.

Johnson was spotted on Houston's sideline in street clothes during the second half.

The five-time Pro Bowler caught a 13-yard pass in the second quarter and was holding the back of his right leg near the knee after he fell to the ground. He pulled up at the end of the play, but was not hit.

Johnson remained on the field and was looked at by trainers before gingerly walking off on his own power.

He then walked to the locker room with members of the training staff.

"

When Is He Ready To Return?

As of right now there is no word on his status moving forward, but if watching running back Arian Foster deal with the same injury is any clue, I expect to see him sitting on the sideline for a week or two.

It's just speculation of course, but the problem with hamstring injuries is that they seem to linger without getting complete and adequate rest. I don't see him playing next week, but once again it's just pure speculation.

Fantasy Impact

Simply put, this is a disaster as far as fantasy football is concerned. Johnson is a top five receiver, and he's undoubtedly a points workhorse for many teams out there. I would keep an eye on the injury reports almost daily.

What They're Saying

Greg Rosenthal of NBC Sports draws a comparison to Wes Welker's injury in Houston two seasons ago:

"

The Houston Texans organization is holding its collective breath Sunday after wide receiver Andre Johnson went down with an apparent knee injury on Sunday.

Johnson went down untouched, writhing on the field in serious pain.  It reminded us so much of Wes Welker’s injury on the same turf in Houston’s Reliant Stadium two seasons ago.

A.J. was ultimately able to walk to the locker room under his own power, but that doesn’t tell us much. The Texans can only hope now that Johnson’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked.

"

In the end, there is major reason to be concerned for Texan fans. Any time you watch your star player go down it's bad news, and I expect Houston to be on edge until they can get him back.

The worst part about the injury was that it was a non-contact injury though. Johnson wasn't touched, but went down anyhow, which is a scary fact for the long-term prognosis.