Justin Houston Had ACL Surgery Last Month, Could Miss All or Most of 2016 Season

Justin Houston led the league in sacks in 2014, with 22. He missed the last five regular season games last year, after what was diagnosed as a hyperextended knee. He came back for the playoff game against Houston and played with a brace, and then was active against New England, but played only 8 snaps, because the brace “hindered [him] a lot.”

Now, he may also miss part, or all of the Chiefs’ next season as well.

Burkholder said Justin Houston had his knee scoped in February. Dr. Andrews found that his ACL is not functioning. It has been fixed.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 22, 2016

Justin Houston had ACL surgery in February and rehab is expected to be six to 12 months. Trainer Rick Burkholder... https://t.co/SO8zlTeGcj
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) March 22, 2016

That 6-12 month timeline is broad. It also encompasses the NFL season. At the longer end of that range, Houston misses the whole season. Six months is an aggressive timeframe for an ACL repair, and that would put him back on the field right at the end of the preseason. The PUP would seem to be in play, at minimum, considering conditioning as well. Houston tried to come back, and it may cost him several games in 2016.

I asked Andy Reid if Justin Houston will miss the season: “We’re hoping (not), just because of his work ethic and he’s a fast healer."
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 22, 2016