Pass-rusher J.J. Watt isn't ruling out a return to professional football if the Houston Texans need him, but this if the final year that he'll say that. Watt retired after the 2022 season. "I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: 'Don't call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I'll be there.' And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I'll tell him that, because I'm not going to keep training [the way] I've been training," Watt said. The 35-year-old and Ryans played in Houston together in 2011, which was Watt's first NFL season and Ryans' last with the Texans. It's unlikely the Texans need Watt after signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry this offseason to pair with impressive second-year pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. Watt is currently an analyst for CBS Sports.
J.J. Watt Not Interested In Joining Texans Coaching Staff
Retired defensive lineman J.J. Watt said that he's not interested in joining the Houston Texans' coaching staff under new head coach DeMeco Ryans, whom Watt spent the 2011 season with as a player in Houston. Watt retired after the 2022 season after 10 years with the Texans and two for the Arizona Cardinals, leaving speculation that he might rejoin the Texans as a coach. "[If Ryans asks], I'll pop in and talk to the boys, and I'll watch practice, and I'll talk to them, but no, I have no interest in the hours and the time commitment and going to the Combine and going to the Senior Bowl and doing all these things," Watt said. "I do not have interest in that." Watt was a five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler and finished an illustrious career with 101 of his 114.5 career sacks coming with the Texans from 2011-2020.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt announced on his Twitter account on Tuesday that the 2022 season will be his last in the NFL. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year will finish his career on the road against the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. He has 111.5 career sacks since entering the league in 2011, including 9.5 this year with the Cardinals. Watt is one of three players in NFL history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, joining Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald. All three of those awards for Watt came while playing for the Houston Texans, who drafted him 11th overall in 2011. He has four seasons with 15 sacks, the second-most by any player since sacks began to be tracked in 1982, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
J.J. Watt Officially Active Following Medical Scare
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf, heart) is officially active for Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers. On Sunday morning, Watt personally announced that he went into atrial fibrillation this past Wednesday, had his heart "shocked back into rhythm" on Thursday, and will play this week. The 33-year-old has amassed three tackles and two sacks through two games this season.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf, illness) is expected to play in Week 4 despite being listed as questionable, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 33-year-old has appeared in two games this season, registering three tackles and two sacks. His presence should impact Baker Mayfield and the opposing Carolina Panthers offense.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf) is officially active for Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Watt had been listed as questionable and is now cleared to make his 2022 debut on Sunday. Still, he is expected to have a reduced role in his first game back from injury. For what it's worth, the 33-year-old registered 16 tackles, one sack, and one fumble forced in 2021.
J.J. Watt Expected To Play On Snap Count In Week 2
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf) is expected to be active in Week 2, but he'll be on a pitch count, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Watt missed last Sunday's season opener and was listed as questionable heading into this weekend. The 33-year-old played in just seven games last season due to injury, racking up one sack, one fumble recovery, and 16 tackles.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf) is listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Watt didn't practice on Wednesday, but he was a limited participant on both Thursday and Friday, giving him a chance to make his season debut this weekend after he was inactive in the season-opening blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The 33-year-old five-time All-Pro pass-rusher is no longer in the prime of his career and has really struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He played in only seven games in his first year with the Cardinals in 2021 and has played double-digit games in a season just two of the last five seasons.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. He has been dealing with a calf injury and was held out of the regular season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 33-year-old did not practice Wednesday and is hopeful of playing in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. "It was a good day of work, a good first day back out there (at practice). I'll get some more tomorrow and then go from there," said Watt. The former Houston Texan is trending in the right direction towards suiting up on Sunday but will most likely need to log a full practice on Friday. Stay tuned.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf) was forced to miss practice on Wednesday after being sidelined in Week 1. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury stated that the team would not expect to have a clear idea of Watt's availability until later in the week. The Cardinals were one of only three teams to not record a sack last Sunday, so Watt's defensive presence was clearly missed. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took full advantage of the lack of effective pass-rushing as he threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns. If Watt is unable to play in Week 2, Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders will look to capitalize in an important divisional clash.