The rumor mill is running.
Before the Houston Texans beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Saturday, reports flew throughout the NFL landscape that their defensive end J.J. Watt is set to return off the injured reserve after tearing his pectoral in Week 8 against the Oakland Raiders.
Though reputable reports point to Watt returning for the playoffs, Texans coach Bill O’Brien is mum on the situations.
“I’m going to pass on that question,” O’Brien said on Monday. “I’m not up here to talk about J.J. We’ll get to that when we get to that, whether it’s this season, the offseason or whatever.”
On Dec. 19, Watt added fuel to the fire before rumors pointed heavily to his return, tweeting, “It’s not over though.”
It’s not over though.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 19, 2019
Watt would aid a struggling Texans pass-rush. Despite playing half of the season, he ranks second on the team in quarterback pressures with 24, according to Pro Football Reference.
Pro Football Focus has Watt graded as their third-best edge defender, sitting at an 89.6. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, he tallied four sacks, 20 quarterback hits and a forced fumble before suffering the torn pectoral. It’s fair to say that his impact on the Texans’ defense is great.
“I mean anytime you have any player,” O’Brien said. “I mean, obviously with J.J., everything that he’s done for our football team. Anytime you have a great player that’s been out and the rules allow you to bring them back, you know, it would help the team.”
If he were to make it back for the playoffs, the Texans’ reeling pass-rush would see a massive boost in star power. Often, since his injury, Houston’s defensive line has struggled to get consistent pressure outside of blitzes. Watt would change, forcing double teams, in turn, free rushers to get to whichever quarterback they play in the postseason.
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