5 NFL players returning from injury who could star in the 2022 season

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 22: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals defeated the Titans 19-16. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: J.J. Watt #99 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt

One of the most dynamic players of this generation, J.J. Watt has struggled to stay on the field for multiple seasons in a row since his 2011-15 run in which he won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

In the past six seasons, Watt has played in three (2016), five (2017), 16 (2018), eight (2019), 16 (2020) and seven (2021) games, missing significant time due to injury a whopping four times in six years.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time, Watt suffered a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his season last year. He was, however, able to make a return to the Cardinals in the playoffs although the Cards did not make it out of the Wild Card game.

At 33 years of age, Watt’s career may very well be winding down, especially because of the consistent injuries he has been faced with. He’s been alternating full seasons with injury-laden seasons recently so I’m picking him to post a full 16-game season in 2022 and a return to stardom.

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