Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has been extremely optimistic about the injury status of his star-studded roster. It appears the same can be said for defensive end J.J. Watt.
O'Brien has taken a cautious approach when discussing Watt's recovery. However, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, he is more comfortable with his expectations thanks to the All-Pro's confidence.
“I feel good about J.J. because J.J. feels good about J.J.,” O’Brien said. “He’s in a good place. He’s been here every day. He’s very positive about where he is from a rehab standpoint.
Despite his careful optimism, O'Brien has expressed that he expects Watt to be able to return to his former self. Of course, that may seem a bit far-fetched considering the incredibly high bar he set prior to the injuries.
Watt managed to appear in every game in his first five seasons in the league. During that time he earned four trips to the Pro Bowl, four first-team All-Pro selections, and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Unfortunately, severe injuries over the last two seasons have limited him to just eight games.
That said, it is difficult to imagine that there will not be a bit of a learning curve at some point in his return. Of course, if there is any player that is capable of pulling off such a comeback, it is Watt. Even if he is not at full strength, he is still much more talented than the majority of players in this league anyway.
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