Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt went down with a season-ending tibial plateau fracture in his left leg on Sunday. It’s the most-recent serious injury in a career that has recently been defined by serious injuries for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
As much as this injury is going to hurt the Texans’ chances, it’s more of a major blow for Watt. The star’s career and his ascension among the game’s greatest has been put on hold by season-ending injuries over the past two years.
For his part, Watt himself is devastated by this most-recent setback to an otherwise Hall of Fame career.
I can't sugarcoat it, I am devastated.
All I want to do is be out there on that field for my teammates and this city.
I'm sorry.— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 9, 2017
“I can’t sugarcoat it,” Watt wrote on Twitter. “I am devastated. All I want to do is be out there on that field for my teammates and this city. I’m sorry.”
Not only has Watt been one of the most-dominating players in the NFL over the past several seasons, he continues to be a fixture in the Houston community. That was taken to a whole new level after he helped raise nearly of $36 million for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts this summer.
It’s our hope that Watt finds a way to recover fully and return to his rightful place among the best defensive players to ever suit up.