(SportsRadio 610) - Texans defensive end and sacks leader Jonathan Greenard has been ruled out against the Tennessee Titans with a foot injury.
The second-year pro leads the Texans with eight sacks in 12 games played in this season. Greenard, however, has missed time due to the lingering foot injury and COVID-19.
Still, Greenard figures to be a significant part of the Texans' defense in 2022. He told reporters last week one of his main goals is to remain healthy and get through an entire season.
"Just making sure I get in a better routine, making sure I take care of the body," Greenard said last Wednesday. "Addressing things when I start to feel the small things and not let it get to where I am in complete pain to where I want to say something about things. Just understanding to listen to your body and we are going to try to make it through a full season and with the right results and the right mindset going into next year."
Texans defensive coordinator Lovie Smith echoed Greenard's emphasis on staying healthy next season.
“Just looking at what Jonathan has done throughout, another young football player that has shown a lot of flashes," Smith said. "Just being available each week allows you to reach your full potential. Jonathan dealt with a lot of things this year. When he is healthy, he can rush, he can play our six technique which he does for us most of the time. He’ll start over tight end most plays. But he can rush the passer from the outside. He’s a good run support player. There is a lot of positives in his game. Once we get those injuries out of the way, a lot of potential to say the least."