Texans HC DeMeco Ryans stands behind suspended DL Denico Autry

The Houston Texans will be without defensive lineman Denico Autry for the first six games of the regular season after violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.

Until then, the AFC South champions will have to make do. They’ll wait until he’s back on the field offering a unique blend of power and speed up the middle.

While disappointed, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the organization would stand behind Autry and his statement that/ he did not knowingly take a banned substance.

“Unfortunate news to hear,” Ryans said Tuesday prior to the team’s trip to Canton for the Hall of Fame Game. “We’ll move forward. He’s here. He’ll continue to work throughout training camp. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there this season.”

Signed to a two-year, $20 million contract, Autry was expected to be the pass-rushing do-it-all defensive lineman in place of the departed Maliek Collins. Even at 34, the 11-year veteran showed few signs of slowing down after totaling a career-high 11.5 sacks in his final year with the Titans.

Autry did not dress out for training camp practice on Tuesday. He’ll still be allowed to practice and run through drills leading up to the end of the preseason but will be placed on the suspended list come Week 1.

“It doesn’t change our evaluation process,” Ryans said. “We’ve known about this for a while so it doesn’t change where we are.”

In his place, the Texans plan to turn to Mario Edwards Jr., another veteran with position flexibility. Signed to a one-year deal, Edwards was expected to compete at defensive end. Before Monday’s practice, Houston changed his position on the depth chart to defensive tackle.

“I play all up and down the line, wherever they need me to make a play,” Edwards said Monday of the position switch.

In Ryans’ defense, the “SWARM” mentality takes priority. Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter mentioned that when playing in the front seven, there’s an “attack” notion over a fundamental approach.

Edwards feels the same from the inside.

“It is attack and put your hands on somebody, man against man, bloody somebody’s nose, just that real aggressive style of football that we like,” he said.

Autry, who joins Houston from a 3-4 defense under Mike Vrabrel, also could shift in the defensive end rotation. For now, the Texans must find a replacement who can add pressure from the outside.

If the Texans look to keep things internal, veteran Jerry Hughes could have the inside track at the final spot on the 53-man roster. He spent the past two seasons with Houston and led the team with 9.5 sacks in 2022. He also signed a one-year deal days before training camp started and already understands his role as a rotational specialist.

The Texans won’t return to the Methodist Training Center until after their second preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 9.