2011 All Over Again?
J.J. Watt is out with an elbow injury and any return date is uncertain: HoustonTexans' disaster?
- J.J. Watt (shown here attacking a blocking sled) is one player the Texans cannotafford to lose.Photo by Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
- J.J. Watt has quickly become one of the Houston Texans' biggest stars.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
J.J. Watt — the player who defensive coordinator Wade Phillips called a Hall of Famer earlier this week — is out for the Houston Texans and no one's quite sure when he'll be able to return.
Watt hurt his elbow in Thursday morning's training camp practice and the Texans will be holding their breath as an entire organization until the result of an MRI comes in. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he hopes Watt will be back in time for the regular season opener on Sept. 9.
"It's his elbow," Kubiak said. "Hopefully, he'll be OK."
Training camp is not even a full week old and already the Texans' lifeline wide receiver (Andre Johnson), priceless left tackle Duane Brown and now Watt have suffered knock-out injuries. Watt appears to be the most serious of the three though. It's a potential devastating blow for Watt, who was playing as well as any defensive player in the NFL when last season ended, and the Texans, who are dependent on Phillips' defense being even better against a tougher schedule this season.
For the latest news on J.J. Watt and the results of his MRI, read the afternoon update story.