J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery, could miss start of NFL season
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt underwent a back operation and will start training camp on the PUP list and could miss the start of the NFL regular season.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt underwent surgery on his back and will start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
JJ Watt has undergone back surgery and will start camp on physically unable 2 perform but should b ready 4 season.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) July 22, 2016
Watt, who has already had a surgery done this year after hurting his groin in the Texans’ playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back in January, will be cutting it close to playing Week 1, but might be able to give it go.
On JJ Watt’s back surgery: I’m told the recovery time is 6-8 weeks & it happened very recently. Puts him right up against the start of 2016
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2016
A few moments later, Rapoport then reported what the surgery was for:
#Texans DL JJ Watt’s surgery was for a herniated disc, source said. He had symptoms while working out on his own. 8 week return is best-case
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2016
However, according to Fox Sports NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the optimism for Watt suiting up and playing in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears (or in Week 2 or 3) shouldn’t be too high.
On JJ Watt, texted with a source informed of his prognosis who pumped the brakes on early optimism. Cautioned it could take up to 10 weeks.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 22, 2016
If Watt did have to miss the full 10 weeks like Garafolo mentioned, that would put Watt in line for his first game during the Texans’ Week 4 meeting against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 2.
The sure thought for everyone around the situation right now is that Watt is going to miss some time. It remains to be seen how much time he’ll miss, but a minimum of a month and a half seems accurate. Back surgeries are nothing to play with, plus Watt has already gone under the knife in 2016 before the recent back procedure.
Watt is a freak of nature, so if he plays Week 1 or shortly after, it won’t come as too much of a surprise. But, the Texans know he’s the $100 million man. They’re going to need him for the long run in a division that’ll be competitive once again in the AFC South.
If he has to miss a game or two, then so be it. His long-term value to the franchise means much more than a couple games early on this season.
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