Matt Schaub Injury Ends Season, Matt Leinart Steps In As QB1

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is out for the rest of the season after sustaining a Lisfranc injury while coming out of the end zone late in the second quarter of Houston’s 37-9 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The Texans are bringing in an Indianapolis specialist to treat the QB and he will fly to Charlotte, N.C. later in the week for further testing.

The injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the Texans who are 7-3 after wining four straight games under Schaub’s leadership.

Taking over for Schaub during the teams Nov. 27 outing at Jacksonville (they have a bye-week) will be sixth-year veteran Matt Leinart

The Texans (7-3) have won four in a row and share the AFC’s best record with Pittsburgh heading into their bye week. Kubiak said sixth-year veteran Matt Leinart will start at Jacksonville on Nov. 27.

Leinart did not take a snap during the 2010 season although he did resign with the team during the offseason. While Leinart has not become an NFL powerhouse he still had an impressive college resume including a 2004 Heisman Trophy.

Speaking about his new responsibility Leinhart said:

“Your time’s going to come, and you’ve got to be accountable for when that opportunity comes … They know that I work hard and I study hard and I’m prepared very well. We’re going to take this and go game-by-game and I don’t think much is going to change.”

During his time at Southern Cal Leinhart had a 37-2 record while leading his team to championship games in 2004 and 2005.

The teams new QB1 also talked about the man he’ll be replacing:

“I’m bummed. My heart goes out for him, But he knows and everyone knows that in this profession, things happen, and the next guy has to step up. That’s my job and my responsibility.

“That’s what I’ve wanted for a long time, and that’s what I’ve worked hard for every day and prepared for every day,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity. I’m just excited about the chance.”

With the injury to Schaub Houston’s list of injured players who are now out of contention continues to grow with Mario Williams (torn chest muscle) and Danieal Manning (broken left fibula).

Keeping the team in contention has been their No. 1 defense (269.7 yards allowed per game) and third-best rushing offense (158.1 yards per game).

Do you think Matt Leinart can continue on the path the Houson Texans have set for themselves this season?