Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton has been sidelined with injury for the rest of the season, coach Gary Kubiak has announced.
Injury ends Houston running back's campaign
Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton has been sidelined with injury for the remainder of the season, coach Gary Kubiak has announced.
The 23-year-old, who has scored a team-leading seven touchdowns this year, is expected to be placed on injured reserve due to a neck problem.
"He was evaluated by a doctor in Dallas and has a nerve issue," Kubiak was quoted on the Texans' official website.
"They think it'll heal on its own here over the course of the 4-6 weeks. This is not career-threatening. Steve's going to be fine. He will play and play well.
"Everything's going to be OK, but they just said that right now he does not need to be taking any hits over the course of the next month."
Numbness
Slaton, the Texans' leading rusher and second-leading pass-catcher, missed the team's week 13 defeat at Jacksonville after suffering numbness in the tip of his right thumb.
He visited a Dallas-area specialist to be evaluated and will return in 4-6 weeks for a re-evaluation, with surgery a possibility depending on his recovery.
"It's my understanding that it could be something that could require that, if it doesn't heal on its own," added Kubiak.
"But even if they had to do that, he will be fine and he'll be back ready to go next year."
Chris Brown, who replaced Slaton in the starting line-up against the Jaguars and finished with six carries for 15 yards and a touchdown, will stand in for his injured colleague as starter at running back for at least this week.
