JJ Watt has been forced to withdraw from the game due to what appears like a season-ending injury.
This year's annual refrain will be heard again, as the Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman will reportedly have surgery after fracturing his shoulder during Sunday's win against the Houston Texans. He will then play through the procedure. It's Halloween weekend so it seems appropriate to make a Frankenstein joke about how many surgeries this guy has undergone in the past five years. From a groin hernia, a herniated disk in 2016, to a leg injury in 2017, to a pectoral tear in 2019, and a broken rib in 2017.
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Watt is leaving his 11th season in the NFL after only playing one full season since 2015. The three-time Defensive Players of the Year has yet to win a Super Bowl. The Cardinals team is undefeated, and they are playing their most crucial game of the season tonight. This might be Watt's best chance. Watts' role on the Cards team isn't as important as it was with the Texans, but it could be his saving grace when he is relegated.
Sportscasting reported last year that Watt could have broken the NFL record for sacks if he had stayed healthy during his entire career. This was based on Watt's average per-game time with the Houston Texans. Watt tied for seventh in the number of sacks in one season, 2012 and 2014. However, that could have been Watts career-defining phrase. While I don't want to speculate too much, injuries can take a toll on your mental health as well as your physical. It seems that Watts days are over in the NFL.
He has only one sack and 16 tackles this season for the Cardinals. This is far below his normal average. Watt's incredible work ethic and competitive drive are evident in his performance on Sunday. This is a testament to Watt's ability to influence the game even though he doesn’t see much playing time.
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Although he is used to leading the defensive lines from the field, it would be a mistake for the Cardinals not to give him a headset so he can run things from the sideline. I'm not saying they should hire him as a coach, and give Brentson Buckners position to Watt. But, Watt still has a lot of potential, even while he is rehabbing. Watts impact on the team is not limited to TFL statistics. Although we are yet to see how the team fares without Watts directing traffic, the Green Bay matchup is unlikely to be the best. However, there will certainly be questions tonight in Phoenix.
Watt is well past the average NFL retirement age, and has entered the legacy-building phase of his career. He was in perfect health for five seasons, which has allowed him to accumulate quite the statistics resume. It remains to be seen if his legacy will include a ring. The direction of Watts collective memory on the Texans is also uncertain. Will he be remembered for his impact on the NFL and the Texans?
