You would be hard-pressed to find bigger supporters of the Texans’ organization the past five years. Barrett and I have stood by Kubiak and Smith when most considered it futile to do so. However, one issue we have consistently been critical of is their handling of injured players. Last year, I think they mishandled Mario Williams and Steve Slaton. I don’t mean that with each of these issues they have put players at unneccessary risk (though, they have sometimes). Instead, they have made imprudent decisions that have had detrimental effects on the team and/or the player. I am concerned another mistake is being made with Demeco Ryans this year.
Honestly, I have no idea what the elbow injury is. Other than Kubiak saying, “it swelled up pretty good on him”, I have heard nothing specific. Hopefully, it is an injury that will improve and heal with time. My concern is that it is an injury that requires surgery but they are attempting to have Demeco play through it. Based on his performance these first two weeks, he should not be on the field. What good is a linebacker that is physically unable to make a tackle? That’s the question that needs to be answered. As of now, it is clear Demeco is not capable of tackling. I know he is the leader of the defense but surely someone else can make the required calls and also occasionally be able to participate in bringing down a ball-carrier.
Hopefully, we will see steady improvement the next few weeks and have a healthy Demeco Ryans in the middle of the defense by midseason. However, history indicates there is reason for alarm.
Somehow, Demeco was credited with a single tackle on Sunday. I’m not sure when or how. According to the official scorer, the Texans made 42 tackles, 12 assists, and 8 passes defensed. Demeco, the most prolific defensive player in Texans’ history, played the majority of snaps at ILB and recorded only one tackle. While those stats may indicate some concern, we selected a few plays from the Miami game that illustrate his inability to physically use his arm. Take a look at this and let us know if we are being alarmists. Literally, he seems incapable of moving the arm. What kind of injury could it be that this is his situation a month after the injury occurred?
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t know what the injury is but I’m very curious, and of course concerned that they’re being foolish by playing him when he needs treatment.
During the game there was a close shot of Ryans and I noticed he had a pretty substantial body armor of some sort on that arm, and I wrote off his poor tackling to that.
Whatever. I really hope he isn’t foregoing needed treatment out of a misguided sense of duty, especially since he clearly isn’t playing well. At least his legs look pretty good.
I really didn’t iso on Ryans during the game much. In retrospect, I guess I didn’t realize he was in the game. Very disturbing. I noticed the brace, but those plays looked like he was wearing a sling. If Ryans plays much more like that, he is going to blow up his right shoulder and be out for the year. We don’t need 13 wins to capture our first division title; I say sit him until he is/can be productive rather than run him into the ground the first six weeks.
I admire the want to, but the coaches have to play the guys that give you the best chance to win, and I find it hard to believe that a one-armed Ryans is better than a two-armed anybody. Especially with Cody and Mitchell in front of him. They aren’t exactly demanding double-teams in front of Ryans. But that is another talk show….