JJ Watt’s season was believed to be over when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle nearly two months ago, but it seems clear that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is determined to get back on the field before the year is done.
Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said earlier this week that Watt is working hard to return this season, and Watt appeared to confirm that on Thursday. The 30-year-old tweeted a graphic from Pro Football Focus that showed his brother, Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt, has earned a higher edge rushing grade than him from Pro Football Focus. JJ called it “unfortunate” before tweeting that the competition is “not over.”
Well this is unfortunate… https://t.co/XcReGxdRqg
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 19, 2019
It’s not over though.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 19, 2019
The PFF grade was only for this season, so that certainly seems like an indication that Watt is not ruling out a surprisingly quick return from his injury. The Texans have been saving their final injured reserve/designated to return spot for him for a reason, and they are now well positioned to make the playoffs.
There are only two games remaining in the regular season, but the Texans have a one-game lead over the Tennessee Titans for first place in the AFC South. They also have a decent chance of securing a wild card spot even if the don’t win the division, and getting Watt back for the postseason or sooner would be a massive boost.
Watt has battled a number of injuries in recent years and continues to bounce back from them no matter how incredibly grim they sound. We wouldn’t bet against him doing it again.
