Deshaun Watson Won't Change His Game When He Returns from Knee Injury

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said he'll be "more forceful and with a stronger and more intense attitude" when he returns from a torn ACL this upcoming season.   

On Wednesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com provided comments from Watson as he continues his recovery from the knee injury he suffered during a November practice.   

"My game's not changing," he said. "Whatever you [saw] last year is going to be the same, if not better. I've dealt with adversity before, had injuries before. I didn't let that slow me down. It just changed my attitude about the game."

Watson was terrific as a rookie after the Texans selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The 22-year-old Clemson product completed 61.8 percent of his throws for 1,699 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions across seven appearances (six starts). His 103.0 passer rating would have ranked third in the NFL if he had enough playing time to qualify.

He added 269 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

Losing Watson paired with the absence of defensive end J.J. Watt, who suffered his own season-ending injury in Week 5, doomed the Texans' season. They lost eight of their last nine games to finish 4-12.

Earlier this month, Houston head coach Bill O'Brien told Mike Florio on PFT Live that he's not sure how involved the quarterback will be throughout the offseason, but the "ultimate goal" is getting him ready for the start of training camp in July.

"I like where he is right now," O'Brien said. "I don't think that he’ll be able to do much on the field in the beginning of the offseason program. He'll be working with the trainers on the field but not with us. ... I think by the time OTAs roll around, he may be able to do a few things with the team."

Houston possesses Super Bowl upside if Watson and Watt can both stay healthy throughout the 2018 season.