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How soon can J.J. Watt return to Houston Texans?

By Ian Pierno

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) sit on the bench during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) sit on the bench during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a short-lived return to the field following missing training camp, Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt has been placed on injured reserve after re-injuring his back. If Watt returns this season, when would be the most opportune time?

The Houston Texas have been one of the least successful teams in the NFL since their induction into the league 2002, largely failing to capture the fan base due to the lack of a true star. They did have Andre Johnson, but his impact was never truly felt due to a lack of consistent quarterback play and failure to appear in the playoffs. Then came J.J. Watt. The beefy Wisconsin defensive end came onto the scene and almost instantly became the most valuable defensive player in the NFL, surpassing 20 sacks in only his second year in the league.

Before drafting Watt, the Texans had a paltry .382 win percentage, a mark that jumped up to .530 post-2011 per ESPN. The Texans have won the AFC South three times and have even won two playoff games with Watt on the field. After missing training camp this summer due to back surgery, Watt only appeared in three games before re-injuring the same disk he had surgery on this summer. Watt has played in every single game over his five-year career, so having to miss a game, let along being placed on injured reserve, wasn’t easy for Watt to swallow.

Due to the NFL’s injured reserve protocol, Watt can still technically return to the field this season after eight weeks.

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For the Texans, that that would be on Nov. 27 against the San Diego Chargers. It’s unknown if Watt will return to the field at all — it’s more likely he doesn’t, especially if the Texans fall out of the playoff race while he’s sidelined — but here’s the Texans remaining schedule once he’s eligible to play. 

  • Nov. 27: vs San Diego
  • Dec. 4: @ Green Bay
  • Dec. 11: @ Indianapolis
  • Dec. 18: vs Jacksonville
  • Dec. 24: vs Cincinnati
  • Jan. 1: @ Tennessee

With three of those games coming against division opponents, the most realistic date for Watt to return to the field would against Dec. 11 in Indianapolis. If possible, the preceding week against Green Bay would be the most desirable, though. Despite not being against a division or even a conference foe, that could be a tipping point for Houston’s momentum should Aaron Rodgers have time in the pocket to carve up the Texans’ defensive backs.

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In one of the weaker divisions in the NFL, all the Houston Texans need to do is simply stay afloat. If their record dips far below .500, it’s unlikely they’ll have the motivation to risk bringing Watt back early. However, if Bill O’Brien feels he needs the powerful defensive end, it’s hard to doubt the tough as nails Watt will have any qualms about returning.

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