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Houston Texans: Despite lackluster game, JJ Watt is more than back

By T.A. Mock

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Texans lost to the Patriots 27-20 on Sunday. JJ Watt‘s first game back was lackluster at times but don’t let that fool you, he’s more than back.

The Houston Texans have been without JJ Watt for 24 of the last 36 games the past two years, prior to Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. Playing without JJ along the defensive line left a void that no player, or combination of players, could ever fill. However, the Texans no longer have to worry about that.

In 2015, JJ played through multiple injuries including cracked ribs, a broken hand, and a herniated disk in his back. That herniated disk bloomed into a more serious injury that caused him to miss thirteen games in 2016. In 2017, JJ was nearly fully recovered, with rust shaken off, when he broke his leg.

It was just devasting injury after devasting injury for a player that was once regarded as the best defender to ever play the game, yes, some even picked him over the great Lawrence Taylor. Many wondered whether or not he could recover from these injuries and return to dominance.

Must Read. The huge reason why now is not time to panic. light

Well, ladies and gentlemen, JJ officially put those doubts to bed in the frustrating week one loss to the Patriots. His performance, while lackluster at times, showed that he has the ability to perform at an elite level and consistently impact the game in the Texans favor. John Harris breaks it down in the video below.

As Harris breaks down in the video above, JJ’s past success has been precedented on his burst off of the line of scrimmage. In the video, you can see JJ has the snap count timed so perfectly he actually starts moving before the ball is snapped and is already in the right tackle’s hip pocket.

After that, his technique, which is something else he is lauded for, is flawless. He dips under the tackle’s outstretched arms and quickly turns the corner to get after Tom Brady. He chased Brady up into the pocket and had a hand on Brady’s ankle before DJ Reader comes up and pile drives Brady into the ground (ouch).

This play is just one, prime example of the dominance JJ began to display on Sunday. He started off with a lackluster performance as he still had some rust but, it was apparent that in the second half that rust began to fall off in chunks.

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He only finished the game with three total tackles and technically no sacks since Reader was awarded the one from the play I detailed above. However, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), JJ graded out as the 6th best defensive end in the league from week one and he had the third-best pass rushing grade.

After missing 24 of a possible 36 games the past two years, JJ comes back and produces a top three pass rushing performance and top ten overall. So, the questions about him being able to return to dominance and potentially contend for another defensive player of the year trophy? Well, those questions were answered on Sunday.

Without a doubt, JJ Watt is back. The scary part is, there is still rust to be shaken off. He wasn’t perfect against the run and wasn’t able to create as consistent pressure as normal but, look for him to continue to get rid of this rust in chunks and for him to become offensive linemen’s worst nightmare yet once again.

Next. Studs and Duds from the Texans week one loss. dark

For his career, Houston Texans star DE, JJ Watt, has three defensive players of the year trophies and has amassed 76 sacks, 397 tackles, 15 fumbles forced, 13 fumbles recovered, one interception, and five touchdowns.

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