J.J. Watt Injury: Updates on Texans Star's Back and Return

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was dealing with a back injury heading into Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans.

Continue for updates.

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Watt Active for Week 8

Sunday, Nov. 1

The Texans did not list Watt among the team's inactives against the Titans.

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Latest on Watt's Practice Status Ahead of Week 8

Friday, Oct. 30

Watt returned to practice after missing the previous two days, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston.  

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Watt, O'Brien Comment on Status Ahead of Week 8 

Thursday, Oct. 29

Head coach Bill O'Brien said he believes the lineman will play on Sunday, according to the Texans official Twitter feed. 

Watt confirmed the injury on Oct. 28, but said he "expects to play on Sunday," according to Drew Dougherty of Texans TV.

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Watt Vital to Texans' Defense

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been healthy throughout his career, starting all 71 games for the Texans since being drafted in 2011.

He was listed as questionable for Week 6 with an illness but was in the lineup. The 2015 season overall has been a bit of a struggle—at least in terms of Watt's superhuman expectations—as he enters Week 8 with six sacks and five passes defensed. 

“I think so far this year, there’s already been more triple-teams than the past,” Watt said, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “But that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what I would do, too. You have to continue to fight, continue to battle. Like I’ve always said, it makes it that much sweeter when you do get there.”

The Texans defense would obviously be devastated without Watt, especially because McClain's report also mentions Jadeveon Clowney was unable to practice due to an illness.

Even if Watt is not racking up major statistics at a freakish rate like he did last season, he still deserves constant attention from an opposing offense, which makes things easier for the remainder of the defense.

Taking Watt off the field allows a more cohesive blocking plan, and with the Texans defense already struggling after allowing 44 points to the Miami Dolphins last week, things could get worse in Houston if the 26-year-old is limited in any capacity.