The Houston Texans’ worst nightmare has been confirmed.
J.J. Watt will miss the remainder of the 2016 season, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said Friday. The All-Pro defensive end was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and underwent back surgery Thursday, according to multiple reports.
#Texans DL JJ Watt's back surgery was today, source said (as @AdamSchefter reported). He's out for 2016, as he would've been without surgery
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2016
The #Texans knew JJ Watt was done for 2016. Surgery was their best choice for recovery, rather than rehab/rest. No concerns for 2017.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2016
Watt has undergone two surgeries in the last three months, as he also missed the entire preseason after having a procedure to repair a herniated disk in late July. But while the expectation upon being placed on injured reserve was that he’d miss the rest of the season, it does little to soften the blow.
Watt is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. When healthy, he’s one of the most dominant forces — maybe the most dominant force — in the league.
This marks the first time the Texans will be forced to play without Watt since drafting him 11th overall in 2011. He had played in 83 consecutive regular-season games over the course of his six-year career.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
