J.J. Watt Rumors: Cardinals Star Could Return from Shoulder Injury for AZ Playoff Run

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt could reportedly return from shoulder surgery for the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl if the team makes a deep playoff run.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the news Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show:

Watt, who last played in an Oct. 24 win over the Houston Texans, generated buzz in recent weeks with cryptic posts on his Twitter account:

The 32-year-old Wisconsin native is no stranger to beating expectations for injury recoveries. While with the Texans in 2019, he was placed on injured reserve that October with a torn pectoral muscle expected to end his season. Instead, he returned in time for the team's playoff game in January.

"Sometimes, you've got to be crazy enough to try and understand the risks and accept the consequences if it [doesn't] work," Watt told reporters after Houston's wild-card win over the Buffalo Bills. "But it was worth it. It was worth all the tests. It was worth all the work. It was worth all the s--tty, tough days. It was worth it."

The five-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher was granted his release by the Texans in February and generated interest from several championship contenders before signing a two-year, $28 million contract with Arizona.

He recorded 16 total tackles, two passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble in seven games before being sidelined by the shoulder injury.

While the production was modest, his track record of being a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year can't be ignored. He could provide a boost to the team's pass rush if he returns during the postseason run.

Arizona has to make it that far, though. The team sits atop the NFC standings with a 9-2 record. Holding the top seed would give the Cards a first-round bye and leave them only one win away from the conference title game and a potential Watt return.

For now, linebackers Markus Golden (10 sacks) and Chandler Jones (eight) will continue to lead the edge-rushing group for the Cardinals' fifth-ranked defense.

Arizona returns from its Week 12 bye Sunday when it visits Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears (4-7).