Playing on Saturday was a risk for J.J. Watt. Though the Houston Texans defensive end was medically cleared to return from surgery to repair a torn pectoral two months ago, there was a higher possibility of re-injury.
That risk came with a reward, however. Watt played the full game, a thrilling 22-19 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills to advance to the divisional round of the layoffs.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year says he feels good after the win. However, there was a moment where he thought he could have popped his pectoral again.
“I’m pretty shocked. I’m not going to lie. It feels pretty good,” Watt told reporters Saturday. “There was one play where he was rolling out, and I dove for him. Before I dove, I thought for myself, here it is. It’s either going to hold, or it’s going to go. And I dove, landed right on it, popped up, kind of checked it out. Looked over at the doctor, who was standing about 10 feet away, and it’s all right.”
Watt started off the game slow. The Texans did not throw him into the fire; in the first half, he played limited snaps, acting as a situational pass-rusher. However, when it mattered most, it was hard to get No. 99 off the field. In the third quarter, his sack on Josh Allen sparked a 19-point resurgence by Houston.
“Obviously, we kind of threw the plan out the window there in the fourth quarter in overtime, because it’s all hands on deck and do what you can, but I’m very pleased with the way it held up, and I’m very thankful to all the medical people and strength people that helped me get here,” Watt said.
Barring a surprise injury in practice, Watt will play in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.