J.J. Watt Undergoes Back Surgery; to Start Camp on PUP List
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will start camp on PUP list
J.J. Watt has never missed a game in his five-year NFL career. That streak could potentially be in danger, as reports surfaced that he underwent back surgery and will start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Watt is also recovering from sports hernia surgery to repair a groin injury he suffered late last season. The surgery, which was conducted in January, repaired five core-area muscles which were torn. Three of them were three adductors, and two were abdominal muscles.
He also suffered a herniated disk, and broke his hand during practice prior to week 14 last season. Watt would later play with a cast on his broken hand the remainder of the season.
John McClain reports that Watt expects to be ready for the start of the regular season when the Texans host the Chicago Bears on September 11.
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
To be clear on #Texans DL JJ Watt’s back surgery: It was yesterday. He was still in the hospital today. 6-8 week recovery. It’ll be close.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2016
While #Texans are optimistic he'll be ready for the season, don't take those first 2 games for granted. Again, Watt has never missed a game
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) July 22, 2016
The 27-year-old Watt has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards over the past four seasons. Since being drafted by the Texans out of Wisconsin with the 11th overall pick in 2011, Watt has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.
He has 74.5 career sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and five touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns came as a receiver in 2014, when the Texans would line him up in the redzone.
Houston used four of their six draft picks in the 2016 NFL Draft on offense, with the hopes of supporting their new starting quarterback, Brock Osweiler.
Should Watt not be available for week one against the Bears, the Texans may have to rely on former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to bring a pass rushing threat on the outside.