It is official. Defensive lineman J.J. Watt will return from his shoulder injury Monday night in the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals announced his activation from injured reserve, setting him up to play for the first time since he tore basically everything in his shoulder in Week 7. He was expected to miss four to six months but is back in under three months.
He wasn’t the only player activated from injured reserve.
The Cardinals also activated linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner. Turner had been out since Week 5 with a shoulder injury.
The Cardinals also elevated cornerback Kevin Peterson and defensive tackle Zach Kerr from the practice squad as standard elevations.
Peterson will get playing time at cornerback with Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson.
Kerr’s elevation gives the Cardinals another defensive lineman. Unless one is made inactive, they will have Watt, Kerr, Zach Allen, Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence all available Monday night.
They did not elevate veteran cornerback Bashaud Breeland.
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