Chiefs’ Justin Houston could miss 2016 season after ACL surgery

Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston could miss the 2016 season after undergoing surgery to repair his ACL last month.

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Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston had surgery to repair his ACL last month, the team announced Tuesday.

Kansas City trainer Rick Burkholder said an arthroscopic procedure showed the ligament was intact but “not functioning,” according to the Kansas City Star. His expected recovery time is six to 12 months, which would keep him out at least until August and potentially for the entire 2016 season. 

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After leading the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014, Houston recorded 7.5 sacks in 11 games last season. He hyperextended his knee in the Chiefs’ Week 12 game and did not return to the field until the first round of the playoffs. 

Earlier this month, the Chiefs re-signed veteran outside linebacker Tamba Hali to a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $22 million.