Early in the third quarter of the Houston Texans’ 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Deshaun Watson visited the blue medical tent.
The Texans 24-year-old quarterback did so after he sustained an unknown right foot injury on the first drive of the second half, which resulted in a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal. Despite showing obvious discomfort, Watson ran for a 19-yard first down after sustaining the injury.
Watson’s visit to the blue medical tent didn’t last long. While backup A.J. McCarron warmed up, No. 4 was being looked at by the Texans’ training staff. His teammate, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, didn’t think he would be catching passes from anybody else.
“He’s a fighter,” Hopkins told reporters postgame. “I knew he was going to come back out no matter what, especially with the game being close like that.”
Watson did not miss a snap. Though the injury limited his mobility as he ran in a gimpy fashion, he led the Texans in rushing in the ugly bout, tallying 37 yards on seven attempts.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback said he is in good health after the victory — coming from a player that played on a torn ACL as a college freshman, it’s fair to wonder what he believes is good health, however.
“I’m doing good,” Watson said. “I’m fine,” he later noted. “I was able to finish the game.”
Watson struggled throughout the contest. He finished the game going 19 of 32 passing for 184 yards, no touchdowns and an interception, good for a 62.5 passer rating. Nonetheless, the Texans got a victory when they needed it most.
The Texans needed Watson to win the game that would ultimately give Houston another AFC South crown. Though he was injured, he delivered, as Hopkins thought he would.
Houston doesn’t have a passer playing professional quarterback for them. They have a fighter.