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

TheHouston Texanslost 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.

TheHouston Texanshave been withoutJJ Wattfor 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 himover the greatLawrence Taylor. Many wondered whether or not he couldrecover from these injuries and return to dominance.

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 afterTom Brady. He chased Brady up into the pocket and had a hand on Brady’s ankle beforeDJ Readercomes 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 andtechnicallyno sacks since Reader was awarded the one from the play I detailed above. However, according toPro 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 potentiallycontend for another defensive player of the year trophy? Well, those questions were answered on Sunday.

Without a doubt,JJ Wattis 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.

For his career,Houston Texansstar 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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