Category: J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt says the decision wasn’t difficult to return to Texans for the playoffs

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt says the decision to return to the team wasn’t difficult, even though there is some medical risk involved.

J.J. Watt tore his pectoral muscle on Oct. 27 shortly before halftime in a 27-24 win over the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium.

When it was discovered Watt sustained this injury, he presumed, along with the rest of the world, that his 2019 season had summarily ended. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year had his third season in the last four stopped short with a season-ending injury.

Watt was not formulating a comeback whatsoever.

“I didn’t even know that there was a possibility, and then literally a couple of days after the surgery I was feeling so good that I just started asking questions,” Watt told reporters Tuesday at NRG Stadium. “I said, ‘Is it remotely possible?’ We left the door open for a possibility and from there it was just literally day-by-day, just work, doing whatever I could do and we arrived to here.”

News that Watt could return to the Texans hit on Dec. 1, the same day they would take on the New England Patriots and prevail 28-22 on Sunday Night Football in Houston. The Texans still had their final return designation from injured reserve available in Week 13.

On Dec. 16, the Monday after the Texans beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17 at Nissan Stadium to take commanding lead of the AFC South, it started to build that Watt could have a legitimate shot at returning for the playoffs.

“I wouldn’t call it a difficult decision, no,” said Watt. “I mean I get a chance to play in the playoffs with my team and go out there and try and help us win football games. So to me, that’ll never be a difficult decision.”

Before his injury, Watt collected 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his eight starts.

Said Watt: “There’s obviously an element of risk involved that I understand and we understand, but to me, the opportunity to play in the playoffs, the opportunity to try and help this team win football games, there’s nothing that I want more and there’s nothing that — it’s built into me, I just want to be on the field with the guys and I feel really good.

“We’ve worked extremely hard at rehab, we’ve had a very smooth process and everything has been going extremely well. So I’m really, really excited to get back on the field with everybody and to be back out there helping my team and playing for this city.”

The Texans face the Titans in a Week 17 rematch at NRG Stadium. Watt is not expected to play as the game has no material impact on the Texans’ chances to obtain a first-round bye; they are locked in to wild-card weekend, and will play a home game in the first round of the playoffs on either Jan. 4 or 5.

A Christmas Miracle: Texans DE J.J. Watt designated to return from injured reserve

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has been designated to return from injured reserve.

The Houston Texans got a treat in their stocking for Christmas to help with their impending playoff run.

According to multiple reports, defensive end J.J. Watt has been designed to return from injured reserve, and he returned to practice for the Texans on Tuesday.

Watt landed on IR when he tore his pectoral muscle on Oct. 27 in a win over the Oakland Raiders. While it seemed that Watt would finish his ninth NFL season on IR, and have his season summarily ended for the third time in four seasons, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year’s return ensures that will not be the case.

The Texans host the Tennessee Titans for a Week 17 season finale at NRG Stadium. It is unlikely Watt will return in that contest. The Texans are locked in to wild-card weekend, and he will more than likely return for their postseason game set for Jan. 4 or 5.

How would the Texans integrate J.J. Watt coming off injured reserve?

The Houston Texans have a chance to add J.J. Watt back to the lineup as he hopes to return from injured reserve. How would that work?

On Dec. 1, a report from Ian Rapoport emerged that defensive end J.J. Watt, who is on injured reserve with a torn pectoral, could return to the Houston Texans for their playoff run.

On Dec. 16, coach Bill O’Brien said that Watt is working hard on a possible return.

If Watt were to return, how would defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel rework him into the lineup?

“We won’t know until that occurs and see where he is, because every player who comes back from injury, you have to see where he is and what he can and cannot do,” Crennel told reporters on Dec. 18. “Then I think that will make the difference in how much he can help or will help, or if he helps.”

When Watt left Week 8’s 27-24 win over the Oakland Raiders shortly before halftime, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year had collected 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble in eight starts. Watt wasn’t exactly having the banner season he was in 2018, but he gave the Texans a credible threat coming off the edge.

If Watt were to return, the Texans would have to evaluate if that edge presence was just as viable.

“Everybody who has an injury, when they get back you have to find out what they can do,” said Crennel. “They have to find out what they can do, because with the injury, they haven’t had the opportunity to twist and turn, and plant and cut, and get hit on it.

“So, all of those things have to occur to build up the player’s confidence to know that the injury is well and then now, he can turn it loose.”

The Texans’ path to the playoffs is in the wild-card round. Houston can secure a playoff berth with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday that delivers them their sixth AFC South title in club history.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien gives update on J.J. Watt’s possible return from injured reserve

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien gave an update on the possibility of defensive end J.J. Watt returning from injured reserve.

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Aside from the excitement of the Houston Texans returning to the postseason for the second straight year, one of the things Texans fans are anticipating is the return of J.J. Watt from injured reserve.

A report surfaced on Dec. 1 that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year could return from IR after tearing his pectoral muscle on Oct. 27 in a 27-24 win over the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium. The Texans would have to qualify for the postseason first.

Coach Bill O’Brien gave an update Monday as to the possibility of the defensive end returning to the lineup.

“I’m going to tell you that J.J. is working very, very hard,” O’Brien said. “He’s certainly made progress based solely on his work ethic and who he is working with in the training room. And we’ll see how it goes.”

Watt collected 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his eight games before the injury.

The Texans can still activate a player from injured reserve. The possibility is there for Watt to come back, if his body is willing to cooperate.

Could J.J. Watt return if the Texans make the playoffs?

The Houston Texans could get a monumental boost to their defense if defensive end J.J. Watt is able to return for a playoff run.

If the Houston Texans make the playoffs, could they get a boost from their face of the franchise?

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans are saving their last injured reserve/designated to return spot for defensive end J.J. Watt, who tore his pectoral muscle in Week 8’s win over the Oakland Raiders. As soon as that Sunday evening, Watt declared he was done for the year.

If the Texans are able to get back Watt for the playoffs, it would be a big boost for the club emotionally. Houston will need all the help they can get. With a 7-4 record, the Texans are currently slated as the third seed in the AFC. Houston would be a home wild-card team that would have to battle their way as the road team in the divisional round to reach their first AFC championship game and the city’s first since 1979.

Before Watt went down with his presumed season-ending injury, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year collected 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups in eight starts.

Texans DE J.J. Watt named a finalist for NFL 100 All-Time Team

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named a finalist among the defensive line selections for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

The NFL released its finalists list for the defensive line for the NFL 100 All-Time Team Monday, and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt made the list.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was among 33 defensive linemen and edge defenders who were listed as finalists. Watt is the only defensive lineman who is still playing in the NFL.

Watt’s career has been historic since he joined the Texans as a first-round pick in 2011. His three defensive player of the year honors tie Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most in league history. His 96.0 sacks rank 41st all-time, and he has posted 20.5 sacks in two separate seasons, 2012 and 2014. Among the 2011 draft class, only the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller has more sacks than Watt with 104.

To decide the 14 defensive linemen who will ultimately make the team, a 26-person blue-ribbon voting panel has been charged with selecting seven players at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

The NFL 100 All-Time Team airs each Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network through Week 17 with selections by position revealed each week.

Texans DE J.J. Watt gave out his number to fans, invited them to text him

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt posted his phone number on Twitter, explaining that he wants to connect directly with his fans.

J.J. Watt is cutting out the middle man.

The Houston Texans injured star defensive end is finding a new way to interact with fans: giving his phone number away to directly chat with them.

On Tuesday night, Watt posted a one-minute long video to his Twitter, asking his fans, supporters, critics, whoever to text his phone number, 262-404-3664.

“I thought it was interesting, so I figure I’m going to try it,” said Watt. “I’ve never done it before, I have no experience with it. So you’re going to have to bear with me. I’m not sure if it’s going to be awesome. I’m not sure if I’m going to get to anybody. So I’m going to give it a shot.”

There were fans who were willing to send Watt a message, and many confirms the authenticity of Watt’s response via text.

The mind can only imagine so many things. Those inclined to send the three-time Defensive Player of the Year a message can do so at 262-404-3664. A an auto-generated link from Community.com from Watt will be sent asking folks to submit their name, phone, date of birth, and email.

Given the volume of texts Watt received, don’t hold your breath on getting a response.