Dylan Horton suffers torn ACL in practice Monday

Horton was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma in November of 2023 and was forced to step away from football to battle the illness. Now 11 months removed from the diagnosis and in remission, Horton will return to the field for the first time in almost a year in Week 5 against the Bills.

Horton announced Monday that he stepped away from football in 2023 to receive treatment for Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is now in remission. He told ESPN that he is currently working to return to full health with a hope to return to the Texans. Horton took a leave of absence from the team during his rookie season prior to Week 12 and did not play throughout the remainder of the season.

Horton released the statement through the team’s social media. He said he will be away from football for an indefinite period of time. The fourth-round rookie has 13 tackles, two QB hits, and a TFL this season.

A standout basketball player, Horton (6’4/257) was originally a safety prospect who attended New Mexico where he spent two seasons before transferring to TCU. He was much lighter coming into college and played outside linebacker until settling in at edge as a senior, leading the Big 12 with 10.0 sacks. A functional athlete who ran an 81st percentile 4.74s 40 yard dash with a 34” vertical (76th percentile), Horton scored a middling in the 44th percentile in his agility drills burst for a 7.00 RAS. Horton has decent get off, a viable bull rush, and a Dwight Freeney-esque spring move he unleashed on B12 tackles. An architect with his hands and a fluid mover when working through counters, he ripped through Big 12 offensive lines with 48 pressures and 32 stops last year. Horton has shown the ability to dominate over the guard in sub situations, which may be his best role at the next level. A base edge player who is relentless in pursuit and plays through every whistle, Horton should be a contributor early in his career.

Horton (6'4/222) suffered what was described as a “significant” ankle injury during the Lobos’ October 4 loss at San Jose State. Per HC Bob Davie, the sophomore linebacker is expected to be “out for a little bit,” so it’s likely that he misses time beyond Friday’s matchup with the Rams. Horton has been one of UNM’s best defensive players this season, ranking third on the team in total tackles (23) and tied for first in sacks (1.5).