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They say NFL preseason doesn't matter. Don't tell that to Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt, who is already looking forward to facing the Green Bay Packers in his team's preseason opener this summer.
Wisconsin, I’m excited to see ya!!! https://t.co/ftCm9QmeXD
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 9, 2019
Of course, Watt grew up in Wisconsin, so there is some extra incentive for him to be excited about facing his hometown Packers.
The 30-year-old is coming off of a terrific 2018 campaign in which he racked up 61 tackles, 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and four passes defended en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and First-Team All-Pro honors.
Watt, who played his collegiate football at the University of Wisconsin and Central Michigan, was originally selected by the Texans in the first round (11th pick overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
He played in all 16 games during his rookie season, finishing with a modest 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries. The following season, however, Watt broke out, tallying 81 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a couple of fumble recoveries, and an incredible 16 passes defended (remember: he is a defensive lineman), making the Pro Bowl and garnering another First-Team All-Pro selection as a result.
Overall, Watt has made five Pro Bowl appearances while also being named a First-Team All-Pro five times. He likely would have added more accolades to his resume had it not been for two injury-plagued seasons in 2016 and 2017, which caused Watt to play in just eight games combined between those two years.
Houston won 11 games and captured the AFC South division title this past season before falling to the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
