Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt is on the injured reserve list due to a torn pectoral muscle, but there has been an awful lot of chatter about the star potentially returning for the playoffs.
John McClain of The Houston Chronicle reports that Watt is “determined” to make it back for the postseason, and while nothing is guaranteed just yet, head coach Bill O'Brien basically confirmed that Watt is trying to return:
“I’m going to tell you that J.J. is working very, very hard, and he’s certainly made progress based solely on his work ethic and who he is working with in the training room,” O’Brien said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
The Texans placed Watt on the injured reserve list back in late October, marking the third time in four years that an injury has ended Watt's season prematurely.
In the eight games he did play this season, Watt logged 24 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and a couple of fumble recoveries.
Of course, Houston has to make the playoffs first.
While the Texans are in control of their own destiny and sit in first place in the AFC South, they will take on a red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers club on Saturday before concluding their regular season against a potentially desperate Tennessee Titans club in Week 17.
Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel would not elaborate much on Watt's potential return:
“We won’t know until that occurs and see where he is because every player who comes back from injury, you have to see where he is and what he can and cannot do,” Crennel said. “Then, I think that’ll make the difference in how much he can help or will help or if he helps.”
Houston is aiming for its second straight division title and third in the last four years and can put a bow on the AFC South with a win over the Buccaneers coupled with a Titans loss to the New Orleans Saints this weekend.
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