Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt will once again have to watch the rest of the NFL season unfold from afar. On Monday, Watt confirmed on social media that he will have to miss the rest of the year after suffering an injury in Sunday’s game against Oakland Raiders.
This is the third time in the last four years that Watt has to end his season prematurely due to injuries.
Watt injured his shoulder in the second quarter of Raiders’ game and didn’t return to the field. He had three tackles until then.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the 30-year-old Pro Bowler suffered a torn pec, and will have to undergo surgery this week. He will be out for at least four months, but should return in time for OTAs and minicamp next year.
“This game can be beautiful, and it can also be brutal.” – Watt wrote on social media on Monday. “Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts & well-wishes.”
After not missing a single game during his first five years in the league, J.J. Watt was limited to only three games in the 2016 season due to back injury. He returned from injury in time to start the 2017 NFL season, but couldn’t finish it as he suffered a leg fracture in Week 5 that sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Watt played all 16 games last season, having a productive year in which he had 61 tackles, 16.0 sacks, seven fumbles, and four passes deflected. In the eight games he played in in 2019, he had 24 tackles and 4.0 sacks.
