Andre Johnson: Why Texans Are in Hot Water without Star WR

You could just imagine the "uh-ohs" last Sunday when Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson grabbed the back of his leg and tumbled to the turf in the second quarter of the Steelers game.

No one touched him but what transpired was the "Hammy Heard 'Round Houston."

Pop.

As quick as you could say "AFC South," the Texans' star wide receiver went on the shelf for perhaps the next three weeks.

There is nothing good about the words "minor medical procedure." Nonetheless, Johnson underwent one and medical procedures are minor only when they don't involve your star player.

Ouch.

Make that triple ouch because the Texans have to face the Raiders, the Ravens in Baltimore and then the Titans in Tennessee.

This is simply another appearance by Mr. Murphy, you know, the owner of Murphy's Law. Just when your Texans rolled through the first quarter of the season at 3-1, Mr. Murphy taps your star receiver on the shoulder and says, "Hi Andre."

Pop.

Those three games are tough enough. Oakland is a hungry team at 2-2. The Ravens' defense has them at 3-1 and the Titans are tied with the Texans at 3-1 in the division. Now all three are a lot tougher and the water just got a lot hotter.

Johnson with his size, speed, strength and performance is arguably the best receiver in the league although there's that up-and-comer Calvin, in Detroit, who also happens to be a Johnson.

The Texans and quarterback Matt Schaub will have to hope the rest of the guys step up. But that's a really big step up to make up for the absence of Johnson.

With the big guy out, defenses can focus a bit more on Arian Foster. The other Houston receivers are hardly household names but Jacoby Jones will have to bear some of the deep-threat load and tight end Owen Daniels will probably see more footballs coming his way.

With Johnson out of the Steelers contest, things bogged down and it took a fourth quarter drive to win the game. The big play was a 42-yard run by Foster.

These next three weeks are big. It's too early to say "defining moments" for the Texans but they are big for sure.

With Johnson out, that's a huge "vacancy" sign in the middle of the offense.

Thanks a lot, Murphy.