Tag: J.J. Watt Football

Texans legend J.J. Watt to be a part of Monday Night Football fun

J.J. Watt might not be on the field, but he’ll be on Monday Night Football when the Houston Texans take on the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time the Houston Texans were on “Monday Night Football,” J.J. Watt appeared on the television screen.

Five years might have passed and Watt might have retired, but the former All-Pro defensive end will still appear on your television when Houston faces off against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Watt will appear on the “ManningCast” alternate telecast on ESPN2 opposite Peyton and Eli Manning during Monday’s game. The national broadcast will air on ABC and ESPN beginning at 7:15 p.m. CT.

Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year during his 10 seasons with the Texans, will appear during the fourth quarter with the Manning brothers. Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will appear during the first half for his weekly segment.

While many Texans fans have been waiting for Watt to come out of retirement, at least they’ll see the top defensive player in franchise history talk about the program in prominence on national television.

The Texans will be playing their first Monday night outing since Sept. 9, 2019, when they opened the season with a 30-28 loss against the New Orleans Saints. That also marked the first appearance of Laremy Tunsil in a Houston uniform after the preseason trade leading into the new campaign.

The Texans (6-4) trail the series against the Cowboys (3-6) all-time at 4-2.

Texans: J.J. Watt teases fans about potential return with cryptic photo

J.J. Watt hasn’t said anything about his future in the NFL, but his recent photo is getting fans pumped about a potential reunion.

Let the J.J. Watt reunion rumors begin.

Watt, former a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end, has let Houston Texans fans know throughout the 2024 offseason that he’s still in football shape despite being retired. He’s made it clear that he won’t return to the game unless it’s essential for the Hosuton’s success toward a Super Bowl title.

But Watt never got to experience sustained postseason dominance during his 12 seasons between the Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Houston never advanced beyond the Divisional Round.

In two seasons with the Cardinals, Watt watched the team go from being a rising NFC West contender to firing their head coach a year later.

The Texans might not need Watt with the addition of four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, but does the future Hall of Famer need the Texans? He recently sent the internet ablaze with a photo of him working out at the team facility.

Yes, that’s Watt. Yes, that’s inside the building. No, Watt hasn’t announced he’s doing anything yet.

Could Watt return? If Will Anderson Jr.’s ankle injury remains a problem, there’s a scenario where the former Defensive Rookie of the Year misses time and the guy who he was meant to replace takes his spot.

Does it seem likely? As of now, no.

Watt is about to debut as part of the new CBS Sunday morning crew next week for the start of the new season. He likes the media life and seems content just staying in shape without having to deal with practice heat or injuries.

But with photos like that? Never say never in with contending NFL teams and beloved franchise players these days.

Texans’ DeMeco Ryans breaks down realities of a potential J.J. Watt return

While a J.J. Watt reunion is wanted by Houston Texans fans, it also seems unlikely barring a last-second change of heart from the defensive end.

When Dencio Autry was slapped with a six-game suspension for PED usage earlier this offseason, most Houston Texans had the same thought on how to replace the veteran defensive lineman.

Re-sign J.J. Watt.

That’s been the talk of the offseason since Watt told reporters that he’d consider reuniting with the reigning AFC South champions if “it was only necessary.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans reiterated on the late episode of ‘Up & Adams’ that the door would always be open for Watt to strap it up one more time, but reminded fans that the Watt who once trained during the summer for Sundays in the fall might no longer possess the same relentless motor.

“J.J.’s been out now for what, two years? When you stop playing football for two years, it’s hard to come back,” Ryans said. “It’s always open for JJ. I’m never closing that door.”

Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Houston’s all-time leader in sacks, retired after a 12.5-sack season in 2022 with the Arizona Cardinals. He’s set to begin a new venture in the broadcast booth as part of the morning crew on CBS.

But fans have begged for a “one final rodeo” off NRG Drive with arguably the franchise’s top star. Maybe it could happen if Houston runs out of options, but Watt hasn’t played a down in over a year and might more so provide high value in a leadership aspect.

Even with Autry’s suspension, the Texans remain a favorite in the AFC after a booming offseason. They signed top free agents in linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive end Danielle Hunter. They traded for Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and two-time All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs to better their offensive personnel.

Houston remains a top-level roster with its firepower and star talent. It should be fine without Autry or a Watt reunion en route to clinching another AFC South division title, though Ryans will let the former defensive end decide if he wants to come back for one final run to a Lombardi Trophy.