TE Owen Daniels suffers torn ACL

ESPN.com reports Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (knee) will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 8, a team source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Daniels suffered the injury in the first quarter and was unable to put any weight on his right leg when coming off of the field. Head coach Gary Kubiak said the injury does not look good, and Daniels said he is concerned his season may be over.

Daniels entered the game leading tight ends in receiving yards with 497, and ranked second among tight ends with five touchdowns. He was the team’s second-leading target behind wide receiver Andre Johnson, but his five touchdowns led the team. He has been a reliable receiver during the season, catching at least five passes in five games and averaging at least 10 yards in six out of seven games prior to Week 8.

Daniels entered the season as a solid tight end option for fantasy owners because he caught 70 passes for 862 yards and two touchdowns in 2008. He had tied his career high in touchdowns this season before the injury.

Fantasy owners should wait to hear official word from the Texans before dropping Daniels in their leagues, but it doesn’t look too promising right now.

If Daniels is out for the season, tight ends Joel Dreessen and James Casey likely will take over at tight end for the rest of the year unless they sign a free agent. Dreessen has caught five passes for 52 yards so far this season, while Casey has not caught a pass. Neither are worthy of being picked up in leagues until the Texans show how they will use the tight end in their offense now.