The Texans announced that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has taken a medical leave of absence due to a scheduled surgical procedure later this week.
Phillips is expected to return later this season and linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who has coached under Phillips the last four seasons, will run the defense in the interim.
In Phillips’ first season with the Texans, the defense has improved from 30th in 2010 to No. 1 in 2011, allowing more than 100 yards of offense less per game. The biggest improvement might be in the team’s secondary, where the Texans have gone from allowing an NFL-worst 267.5 yards per game in 2010 to third this season, where they’re allowing 183.5 yards per game.
At 10-3, the Texans have already clinched the AFC South. Over the final three weeks, the Texans have a non-conference home game against the Panthers and go on the road against the currently winless Colts before returning home to host the Titans.