Mario Williams Injury: Which Houston Texans Players Need to Step Up Most?

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle has reported that Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams has a torn pectoral muscle. He is out for the season and will have surgery this week. 

A major blow to a defense that was playing well in the newly-instituted 3-4 alignment under Wade Phillips. 

Texans fans will unquestionably be down after hearing this crushing news to their team, which is contending for an AFC South crown this season. 

Let's look at what players need to step up to fill the void left by the former No. 1 overall pick. 

Connor Barwin

The 6'4'', 265-pound Barwin was a second-round pick in the 2009 draft for the Texans. He recorded 3.5 sacks in his rookie season, but his 2010 campaign was cut short after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 1 against the Colts. 

Drafted to play defensive end, Barwin has shifted to an outside linebacker role and has 12 tackles with two sacks through five games. 

He isn't nearly as explosive as Williams, but he is a high-motor guy and is usually in the right position on the edge. 

They'll need him to really lead a younger group of pass-rushing outside linebackers with Williams out. 

Brooks Reed

The Texans drafted the energetic Reed in the second round after the stud from Arizona shot up draft boards. 

At 6'3'', 250 pounds, he is a more ideal fit as a "speed" rushing outside linebacker and plays as hard as anybody on every down. 

He is still familiarizing himself with the 3-4 outside linebacker position and has yet to reach the quarterback for a sack this season. 

Reed is listed as the backup to Barwin right now. 

Expect that to change—Reed will see a huge spike in his time on the field. 

If these two players can continue to mature and improve as edge-rushers, the Texans will be fine. 

However, it won't happen overnight.