OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson was told he’ll miss the rest of the season after seriously injuring his right knee in a pileup with teammates in Sunday’s win over the Oakland Raiders.
Robinson, the Texans’ top cornerback and a rising star in his fourth NFL season, left the Coliseum field on a cart late in the first quarter after a teammate hit him from behind.
“My season is over, and I’ve just got to get ready for next year,” Robinson said while leaning on crutches in the Texans’ locker room after their 24-17 win. “It’s just another step in the road, another bump I’ve got to get over.”
Team doctors told Robinson his hamstring ripped completely off the bone, and he might have torn at least one knee ligament. The club won’t know the injury’s full extent until an MRI back in Houston on Monday, but the doctors told Robinson he’s finished for 2007.
“It doesn’t look good at all,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’re probably going to be in the corner market here real quickly.”
Robinson, who had 33 tackles and two interceptions entering the game, was hurt while attempting to strip the ball from Raiders receiver Ronald Curry after a catch near the first-down marker in Houston territory.
Earl Cochran, Robinson’s 281-pound teammate, came barreling into Robinson from behind in an attempt to make the tackle, bending Robinson awkwardly. Robinson wasn’t sure whether the injury occurred on that hit or during the ensuing pileup that left him motionless on the ground.
“My leg was stuck in the ground, and somebody came and jumped on my back, probably trying to move the pile,” Robinson said. “I couldn’t get out of the way. This is part of the sport that I play.”
Robinson spent a few minutes on the turf before rising and gingerly moving to a cart, which took him to the locker room. He was seated upright, and acknowledged cheers from Oakland’s fans with a wave of his hand.
Robinson has been the strongest player in Houston’s secondary, earning praise for his toughness and steady play. Opponents have targeted fellow cornerback DeMarcus Faggins for most of their big throws.
With top backup cornerback Jamar Fletcher already sidelined by appendicitis, third-stringer Dexter Wynn replaced Robinson, though backup Fred Bennett also played extensively.
“If Fred hadn’t been there, we would have basically been stuck in our base defense the whole game, no matter what (the Raiders) did on offense,” Kubiak said.
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