The Texans’ defense just took a tough hit - and not the kind they’re used to delivering on Sundays. Defensive tackle Tim Settle is out for the season with a foot injury that’ll require surgery, and while injuries are part of the game, this one stings a little more for a Houston team that’s been leaning on its defensive front to set the tone.
Settle was quietly putting together the best season of his career, earning a 71.3 grade from Pro Football Focus - second-best among Texans defensive tackles, trailing only Sheldon Rankins. That’s not just a number; it’s a reflection of how disruptive Settle had become in the trenches. Whether it was anchoring against the run or collapsing the pocket, he was a steady force inside, and now the Texans will have to find a way to replace that production during the most demanding stretch of their schedule.
That responsibility will likely fall on a combination of Denico Autry and Tommy Togiai. Expect Togiai to see more work on early downs - he’s the more natural interior run defender of the two - while Autry, with his pass-rush chops, could be deployed in obvious passing situations. It’s a classic rotation setup, but with Settle out, the margin for error just got thinner.
On paper, the upcoming matchup with the Chiefs may not seem like a major test for Houston’s run defense - Kansas City isn’t exactly ground-and-pound - but that’s not the case for most of the Texans’ remaining opponents. Several of them lean heavily on the run game to control tempo and wear down defenses. That makes the loss of Settle more than just a depth issue; it’s a potential pivot point for a defense that’s been among the league’s most consistent units.
Settle’s injury doesn’t just have short-term implications, either. The veteran lineman has been working on year-to-year deals since his rookie contract ended, and 2026 will mark his ninth season in the league.
While he won’t be back for the rest of this campaign - regular season or playoffs - there’s optimism that he’ll be able to participate in normal offseason activities. Given the level he was playing at, bringing him back should be high on the Texans’ priority list once the season wraps.
In the meantime, it’s another “next man up” situation in Houston. The Texans have shown they can adapt, but losing a player like Settle - especially when he was finally hitting his stride - is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL trenches.