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Texans can’t afford to rush Deshaun Watson back

By Rucker Haringey

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: DeShaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rcalls plays against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: DeShaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rcalls plays against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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There may not be a player more important to his team’s offensive success than Deshaun Watson. The Texans can’t afford to rush him back into action.

If the Houston Texans are going to have any chance at all of making a deep playoff run this year they will need Deshaun Watson to have a special season. That’s exactly why Bill O’Brien and the rest of the Texans’ coaching staff need to be very careful they don’t bring him back too soon from injury.

Tearing an ACL isn’t nearly the concern it used to be for an NFL player, but it’s not a minor injury either. It cost Watson a big chunk of his 2017 campaign and the team needs to make sure it doesn’t cost him anything in 2018.

That’s why O’Brien’s declaration that he expects Watson to participate in the team’s upcoming training camp such a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s great news that his rehab is progressing on schedule. Having Watson ready to prepare for the 2018 season with his teammates can pay big dividends for the Texans offense.

On the other hand, bringing Watson back too soon does increase the likelihood of him suffering another injury. Houston can’t wrap him in plastic to protect him until Week 1 arrives, but a little discretion might go a long way here. O’Brien should manage Watson’s reps, and especially any contact he might take until the regular season arrives.

Some teams might be able to survive a quarterback injury and still make a deep playoff run, but the Texans aren’t the Philadelphia Eagles. If Watson misses serious time they will struggle to remain a competitive football team. Neither Brandon Weeden or Joe Webb have a fraction of Watson’s talent. Being forced to start either player for a significant amount of time would eliminate any chance at relevance for the Texans.

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The Texans defense has the talent to keep them in games, but it’s Watson who gives them an opportunity to win. The team must keep him on a conservative rehabilitation plan to make sure their most important player is healthy and ready to go when the regular season arrives. Any injury to Watson would torpedo the Texans before their season has a chance to get up and running.

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