Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr., a starter on the NFL’s top-ranked defense, will have season-ending foot surgery, according to multiple reports on Thursday afternoon.
Settle, 28, was injured during the Texans’ 20-16 victory over the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but it’s not clear when the injury happened. The Houston Chronicle reported that Settle appeared to limp off the field with 4:40 left in regulation after calling to the sideline for a replacement.
“Sad news, Tim was playing really good football for us and was having a really good season,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said afterward, per the Chronicle. “Hurting for him and what he’s going through.
“We’ll have guys step up to replace him. But he was playing really good football for us.”
Settle has started all 12 of the Texans’ games and has 15 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and three passes defensed. Houston (7-5) has the league’s No. 1 defense, allowing 265.7 yards and 16.5 points per game.
Tommy Togiai, 26, is listed behind Settle on the depth chart. Togiai has 31 tackles, one-half sack and four tackles for loss in 10 games (one start) this season.
Washington selected Settle in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech.
For his career, Settle has 133 tackles, 15 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 124 regular-season games (29 starts) for Washington (2018-21), the Buffalo Bills (2022-23) and Houston (2024-present).
