Outside linebacker Justin Houston underwent surgery last month to repair his anterior cruciate ligament, the team announced Tuesday, while acknowledging the possibility that the injury might sideline the 2014 NFL sacks leader for the upcoming season.
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Houston missed time late last season after hyperextending his left knee and visited Dr. James Andrews in February for arthroscopic surgery. Team trainer Rick Burkholder said Andrews found Houston’s ACL wasn’t functioning properly — though it wasn’t torn — and made a repair. Burkholder estimated Houston’s recovery time to be six to 12 months.
“We’re hoping, just because of his work ethic and he’s been a fast healer in the past, we’re hoping that’s not the case, that he’ll be able to play this season,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on a conference call, via the Kansas City Star. “When and where that is, it’s just too early to tell.”
Houston, 27, led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014 and has 56 sacks in five seasons with the Chiefs.
