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.