Houston Texans player Mario Edwards Jr. has been suspended for four games without pay after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Edwards, 30, has started every game for the Texans this season and his absence will be a blow for the Super Bowl hopefuls.
He will not be eligible to return to the field until Houston’s Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions.
Edwards has amassed 18 tackles, five quarterback hits and two sacks so far this season with the Texans 5-1.
Fortunately for Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, his absence coincides with the return of defensive lineman Denico Autry.
Mario Edwards Jr. has been banned for four games after violating the NFL’s drugs policy
Autry has been serving a six-game suspension but will return to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.
Autry was banned on July 29 for breaking the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.
The Texans are also missing star receiver Nico Collins but their offense kept rolling on Sunday thanks to the return of running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.
The Texans had 192 yards rushing in a 41-21 win over the New England Patriots to improve to 5-1 for their best start since 2012.
Collins was out for the first of at least four games after being placed on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury.
But Mixon returned after sitting out three games with an ankle injury and Pierce was back after a four-game absence because of a hamstring injury.
Mixon had 13 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown and added 30 yards receiving with another score as the Texans scored their most points of the season.
Pierce added 76 yards rushing and a TD to help Houston to its third straight victory.
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