Josh Mauga: Chiefs LB Mauga out for season

Losing Houston is a big blow, but the Chiefs defense is a strong unit that ranked fifth in schedule-adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points last season, and they should remain stout even in his absence.

In addition to being without the services of Houston for the start of the 2016 regular season, the Chiefs also placed starting veteran inside linebacker Josh Mauga on their injured reserve list Tuesday with a labral tear in his hip.

The Chiefs have just a few more cuts to make to get down to 75 players by 3 p.m. (Arrowhead Time). He will not count against the final 53-man roster until he is activated. By placing him on the PUP list Houston cannot play for the Chiefs until at least 7 of the season. They are hopeful for a midseason return. He’s scheduled to see orthopedic surgeon James Andrews in four weeks, according to trainer Rick Burkholder.

The Chiefs play the Houston Texans in week two at NRG stadium. Houston had one sack and five tackles in the two games past year in Houston. The year before that, Houston played in all 16 games and absolutely dominated on the way to 22 sacks, setting a new single-season franchise record.