DeMeco Ryans on Mario Edwards suspension: 'It's unfortunate. We will have guys step up.'
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the four-game suspension of starting defensive tackle Mario Edwards on Wednesday.
Ryans last spoke with media Monday, but shortly before it was reported that Edwards would miss the next four games for allegedly violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
"It's unfortunate that [DT] Mario [Edwards Jr.] isn't here with us," Ryans said Wednesday. "Mario is playing really good ball for us and we just let the suspension play itself out. We will have guys step up in their role, we get [DT] Kurt Hinish back, added to the roster. We got [DE] Denico [Autry] in, we will continue to role our d-line as we have all year."
Edwards has played a key role for the 5-1 Texans with two sacks and five quarterback hits. He also recovered a fumble in the Texans' 41-21 road victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Without Edwards, Houston will now rely on Autry and a rotation of interior defensive linemen. The Texans activated Hinish from the injured reserve list Tuesday.