Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson lost a fumble when Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Sam Hubbard strip-sacked him at the Texans’ 33-yard line.
Texans fans couldn’t care less that defensive lineman Margus Hunt recovered and was going to seal Houston’s 11th loss of the season. Watson lying on the ground and needing help from trainers was almost a harbinger of 2021.
Watson got his to his feet, walked off under his own power, and even returned for a couple plays on Houston’s desperate drive after Cincinnati’s field goal that pushed their lead 37-31 with 21 seconds remaining.
Even though Watson had his second injury scare in three weeks, the three-time Pro Bowler says he will play the season finale against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium next week.
“Yeah, I will,” Watson said of his chances to play. “I’ll play.”
Watson’s throwing hand was caught underneath Hubbard’s face mask as he was attempting to follow through on the throw.
“His arm got hit as he was delivering the ball, and you torque your arm quite a bit when you’re throwing,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “So, he got it banged up but he was able to come back. He felt good about it. The doctors didn’t think anything major was an issue.
“They will check him out, of course, and do scans and scopes and whatever they have to do, and then we’ll know more about what the deal is tomorrow or the next day.”
Watson did not believe he was going to sit out the final series if he was unable to go.
Said Watson: “No. I was just — just let my arm just kind of settle in and then just kind of go from there and just take it one moment at a time really.”
The Texans were eliminated from the playoffs after Week 14. However, Watson is a competitor and will always come out for the bell.