Texans place Ryan Griffin on short-term IR

The Houston Texans placed tight end Ryan Griffin on injured reserve with a designation to return Tuesday, in a move that will keep Griffin out of the lineup for the next eight weeks.

Griffin sprained his MCL in last Sunday's season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The third-year player had one catch for 18 yards against the Chiefs.

A 2013 sixth-round pick, Griffin had 29 receptions during his first two seasons with Houston. His injury leaves the Texans with just two tight ends on the active roster in C.J. Fiedorowicz and Garrett Graham. The team also has Eric Tomlinson on the practice squad.

The Texans have a bye Week 9, meaning Girffin will be eligible to return Week 10 when the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals.

(h/t ESPN)