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

Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt told reporters he broke his hand during practice Dec. 9 before the team's Week 14 showdown against the New England Patriots. Despite that, he will not miss any game action.

Continue for updates.

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Watt Active vs. Patriots 

Sunday, Dec. 13 

The Texans announced Watt was available to play vs. New England.  

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O'Brien Comments on Watt's Playing Status

Friday, Dec. 11 

"He'll be ready to go," head coach Bill O'Brien said when asked about whether Watt would play Sunday, per Wilson.  

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Latest on Watt's Practice Status

Friday, Dec. 11

Wilson reported Watt remained out of practice for the second straight day on Friday but added he's still expected to play Sunday. 

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Watt Comments on Injury, Status

Thursday, Dec. 10 

"People are going to make a big deal out of this, but I've played with worse," Watt said, per Adam Wexler of KPRC-TV Sports, adding that his previous elbow injury was worse. Further comments from Watt were posted on Instagram:

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Watt a Defensive Force for Texans 

Watt, 26, was arguably the most dominant player in football during the 2014 season, notching 78 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, an interception, a defensive touchdown and 10 pass deflections. 

While the Texans struggled to open the 2015 season and Watt didn't initially keep up his absurd pace of production from a year ago, he's still the team's most important, indispensable player. The Texans have turned things around down the stretch and are competing for an AFC South crown, largely because of the defense's resurgence, led, as always, by Watt.

It's been a tough year for the Texans on the injury front, as running back Arian Foster was already lost for the season with a torn Achilles, so losing Watt for the long haul would have been devastating. 

The Texans will nonetheless be monitoring his injury seriously. Were he to miss time, a bigger impetus would be placed upon second-year defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to get after the quarterback, while Christian Covington or Jeoffrey Pagan would replace Watt in the starting lineup.