It’s official – J.J. Watt has been ruled out for the rest of the 2016 season. This morning, head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters that Watt will not be able to return at any point this season after undergoing back surgery. 
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Watt was placed on IR earlier this week thanks to his troublesome back and there was some hope that he could return to the team in two months thanks to the league’s new IR rules. Unsurprisingly, Watt will need much more than eight weeks to heal up.
Of course, this is devastating news for the Texans, especially as they are coming off of 27-0 drumming at the hands of the Patriots. The Texans have talent elsewhere in the front seven, but their defense simply won’t be the same without Watt there as the anchor.
Watt earned Pro Bowl trips and first-team All-Pro honors in every season from 2012-2015. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner also nabbed that honor in back-to-back seasons. Since going 11th overall in the 2011 draft, Watt has racked up 76 sacks, 45 passes defended, and 15 forced fumbles.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Is he still dating Kate Hudson? If so, he probably doesn’t care…. Lose almost every Sunday or be with her? Hmm. Easy choice.
get well JJ.