Mario Williams Injury: Update on Houston Texans Star's Pectoral Injury

For the Houston Texans, Mario Williams has become the DeMarcus Ware of the defense, and he is probably the most important player on the Houston Texans defense.

Word out of Houston is that Williams suffered a pectoral injury, and was not expected to return to the game. The severity is not known at this point.

UPDATE: Monday, Oct. 10 at 11:40 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

The Houston Texans received the worst possible news they could have heard today when it was confirmed that star outside linebacker Mario Williams would be out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Houston Chronicle beat writer for the Texans John McClain is reporting about Williams’ status for the rest of the season:

That is bad news for a Houston Texans defense that depended on Williams heavily in the pass rush, and now the team will have to turn to rookie Brooks Reed into their new DeMarcus Ware.

From a fantasy perspective, it may be time to cut the Texans loose if they’re your defense because the lack of pressure will hurt a weak secondary that has been masked by the superior pass rush.

Fantasy Impact

This is bad news for owners of the Houston Texans defense because Mario Williams is the bread and butter of the unit.

Depending on how severe the injury is, there may be a much less devastating pass rush which will hurt all other aspects of the defense.

Devastation Scale (10 out of 10)

This would be a huge blast to a defense that is short on depth and short on serious talent. Wade Phillips has built a great squad, but this is only his first season and there is no real depth.

If this is a long-term injury, the Houston Texans secondary won’t look nearly as good as it has with Mario Williams on the pass rush.

Timeline for Return

There is no confirmation on the severity of the injury, but if this is a torn pectoral muscle, it would mean season-ending surgery.

What They're Saying

Roto World is reporting: "Texans OLB Mario Williams left Sunday's game in the second quarter with a pectoral injury and will not return."

Houston Chronicle writer John McClain is reporting:

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