The Houston Texans might be playing without defensive end J.J. Watt for the rest of the season after he re-injured his back following surgery. The team placed Watt on IR on Wednesday, and signed Antonio Smith to fill his roster spot.
Smith played with Houston from 2009 to 2013, recording 27 of his 47 career sacks. He was with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
It is unlikely that Watt will be cleared to return this season, but would be eligible to return to practice in six weeks, and game action in eight weeks. The team believes that the defensive star was never the same following off-season surgery.
He missed all of training camp and the preseason following that procedure. He reportedly played through the injury last season, and also underwent surgery in January to repair five torn core muscles.
His best performance this season came in week 2 in Kansas City, where he recorded 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He did start all three regular season games, and most recently had two tackles and no sacks in a blowout loss against the Patriots. Before this upcoming week, he had never missed a game in his six-year NFL career.
The three-time defensive player of the year and four-time Pro Bowler was drafted in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2011 draft, and went on to play in 83 consecutive games. In his career, he has 45 passes defended, 15 forced fumbles, 13 recovered, and 76 sacks.
This setback may also cost Houston a chance in the AFC South Division, as they currently sit in first place, just a game ahead of the Titans and Colts.
Smith played with Houston from 2009 to 2013, recording 27 of his 47 career sacks. He was with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
It is unlikely that Watt will be cleared to return this season, but would be eligible to return to practice in six weeks, and game action in eight weeks. The team believes that the defensive star was never the same following off-season surgery.
He missed all of training camp and the preseason following that procedure. He reportedly played through the injury last season, and also underwent surgery in January to repair five torn core muscles.
His best performance this season came in week 2 in Kansas City, where he recorded 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He did start all three regular season games, and most recently had two tackles and no sacks in a blowout loss against the Patriots. Before this upcoming week, he had never missed a game in his six-year NFL career.
The three-time defensive player of the year and four-time Pro Bowler was drafted in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2011 draft, and went on to play in 83 consecutive games. In his career, he has 45 passes defended, 15 forced fumbles, 13 recovered, and 76 sacks.
This setback may also cost Houston a chance in the AFC South Division, as they currently sit in first place, just a game ahead of the Titans and Colts.
