Matt Schaub Injury: Why AFC South Race Is Now Up for Grabs

The Houston Texans were finally in a good position to win the AFC South for the first time in franchise history.

And then disaster happened.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is done for the year with what is being called a "Lisfranc injury."

Schaub has led the Texans to the best record in the AFC South with a 7-3 mark and are currently lead the Tennessee Titans (5-4) by 1.5 games in the division. The Indianapolis Colts (0-10) have been mathematically eliminated, while the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) are technically still alive. 

The injury suffered by Schaub, speculated to be suffered on a quarterback sneak in the Texans' Week 10 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, now forces the Texans to rely on sixth-year quarterback Matt Leinart.

Schaub was having a solid season, throwing 15 touchdowns to only six interceptions, while rushing for two touchdowns as well. The Texans will miss Schaub's ability to extend plays with his legs and complete passes on the run. 

Leinart hasn't started a game since 2009, coincidentally against the Tennessee Titans, the team that proves to be Houston's biggest competition. Leinart threw no touchdowns or interceptions, but was sacked once and fumbled once in a 20-17 loss. The left-handed quarterback has appeared in one game since joining the Texans in 2010, which was Sunday where he took one snap to kneel the ball.

The Texans are already missing star players Mario Williams (out for the season) and Andre Johnson (out since Week 4 with a hamstring injury), but the injury to Schaub might do the most damage to this team.

With Houston's most recent injuries, only time will tell if they can overcome and make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history or if they will fall back into complacency and miss the playoffs for yet another year.

Houston has their bye week in Week 11, but Leinart will make his first start against the division-rival Jaguars in Week 12.