National Football League

Texans' Manning hurts leg, may be out a few weeks

Published Oct. 23, 2011 11:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

Houston safety Danieal Manning is hoping he'll be out only a few weeks after hurting his left leg in Houston's 41-7 win Sunday over Tennessee. The Texans need to know more about his injury to know for sure.

Manning leapt into the air to pick off a pass from Matt Hasselbeck with 10:53 left in the second quarter, and he limped to the sideline before being carted to the locker room. Team officials said Manning hurt his lower left leg, and he was on crutches on the sideline in the second half.

''We are going to have to make some decisions in the next day or so,'' coach Gary Kubiak said. ''There is a chance, though, that he could still be back. I really don't know how to go into the injury with you. I don't have enough knowledge. I just know that he could be back this year. It will be assessed over the course of the next 24 hours.''

The Texans already were without receiver Andre Johnson and fullback James Casey. Troy Nolan and rookie Shiloh Keo got more playing time with Manning out.

Manning told a Houston radio station he broke his tibia but needed more X-rays and an MRI to know the extent of the damage.

''My gut feeling is that I'll be back,'' Manning said, according to the Texans' website. ''I feel like I heal pretty well. I haven't had any major injuries thus far, and I don't consider this being a major injury right now. All I'm hearing is positive, so the worst it may be - I guess, I don't know, it may be 4-6 weeks.''