If there’s any single defensive player in the NFL that could be a big difference-maker in a single game, it’s Texans pass rusher JJ Watt.
Bad news: He’s back against the Bills on Saturday when the two teams meet in the AFC Wild Card.
Watt returned off the team’s injured reserve list earlier this week. That’s not a surprise, but a week or two ago, it was certainly shocking to find out he might return at first.
In Week 8, Watt tore a pectoral muscle that was once believed to have kept him out until next season. But all things considered, it’s hard to imagine Watt being 100 percent healthy. Could the Texans still exercise some caution?
According to Houston head coach Bill O’Brien, maybe some, but not much.
“He’s playing,” O’Brien said via Texans Wire. “That’s what I mean, though. He’ll be in there quite a bit.”
The responsibility of defending against the former Defensive Player of the Year will fall on the right side of Buffalo’s offensive line. That’s where rookie Cody Ford comes in, as veteran Ty Nsekhe is listed as questionable heading into this one with an ankle injury.
Where Watt most makes his presence felt in his career is by letting the quarterback know he’s there. The two-time 20-plus sack gainer in a season will be looking to beat Ford en route to Buffalo QB Josh Allen on Saturday. The Texans aren’t even being shy about that this week, either.
“Well, he’s a pretty good pass rusher, so I would like to get some pass rushing reps out of him,” Houston defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said this week. “So, you’re looking at third down, two minute and then we’ll see after that.”
Watt likes the sound of that.
“I think we have a good plan,” said Watt. “I think we have a good plan for how we’re going to utilize the game and how we’re going to go throughout the game. I think today was a good day for me. [Wednesday] was my first day in pads. We were in pads out there on the field and it was good. I went through a lot of tests that I wanted to go through personally.”
Watt notched four sacks in eight games before his injury earlier this year. Ford graded out as Buffalo’s worst offensive lineman this season via Pro Football Focus’ grading system, a 52.4 overall mark.
It’s been an up and down year for the rookie, but the Bills will hope Saturday will be an “up” outing for Ford.
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