It's the nature of the injury that concerns some of us. The patellar tendon rupture reminds some fans of the Derek Newton injury. Right after the guy got an extension, too. Newton had 2 patellar tendon ruptures, and never really came back from that. Bucs WR Russell Gage had a patellar tendon rupture in camp last year, missed the season, and is reportedly
about to be released.
Not that it matters, but many posters have a nonchalant attitude towards Howard's injury and return. He'll come back at some point, nothing to worry about. My feeling is that if the Texans ever get any production from Howard henceforth, they will be fortunate. And it's not something that should be planned for.
But what both sides of the argument have against them is lack of knowledge. We don't know how Howard is doing or what the prognosis for recovery is. No one is even sure the Texans know, at this point. I mean, Howard "looks fine."
What I do know is that the Texans have been gifted by the football gods with one of the best young QBs in recent memory. I know that his protection is paramount in regard to this franchise's future. And this draft has an excellent group of prospects into the late 1st, maybe mid-2nd rounds. That would be my priority if I were making the decisions on Kirby.