J.J. Watt Eyeing Playoff Return For Texans

According to Ian Rapoport, the Texans are saving their final designation to return from injured reserve for a potential return for DE J.J. Watt.

Watt was placed on injured reserve earlier this season with a torn pectoral and both he and the team thought that would end his 2019 season.

However, Rapoport says both sides are now optimistic Watt could make a return for the playoffs. There’s even a thought Watt could be ready to play by Week 17. 

Per Rapoport, Watt will have an MRI in a few weeks to gauge his progress during his rehab. While Watt might not be 100 percent when he returns, the thought is a limited version of Watt is better than nothing. 

Rapoport adds that even if Watt reinjures himself, the surgery to repair a torn pectoral is relatively simple and it wouldn’t jeopardize his 2020 season. 

Watt, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Texans back in 2011. He’s in the fifth year of his eight-year, $108.88 million contract that includes $51.8 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $13 million and $13.5 million over the next two years of the deal.

In 2019, Watt has appeared in eight games and recorded 24 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and two pass defenses.