NFL suspends Texans defensive lineman first 6 games of season for violating PED policy

The Houston Texans defensive line looks like one of the best in the league on paper heading into the 2024 season. However, this unit just suffered a pretty significant setback and in the worst possible way - not counting a season-ending injury to a key player.

According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, the league has suspended defensive end Denico Autry for the first six games of the regular season for violating the policy against performance enhancing drugs. For his part, Autry has released a statement claiming that he did not intentionally take a banned substance.

Again, this is a pretty big blow for Houston's defense. They are strongest on the edge up front, especially after the addition of four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter. Autry was supposed to help boost an interior unit that's relatively thin by comparison, but with him out they'll have to rely on one of their less-reliable veterans. For now Tim Settle is the most-likely candidate to take over his starting spot next to Folorunso Fatukasi.

It will also be costly for Autry, who signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with Houston back in March. According to Spotrac he stands to lose $1.5 million of his base salary, another half million of his signing bonus and $177,000 in per-game bonuses. The fully guaranteed portion of his remaining $3 million salary is also voided.

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