HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt sustained a season-ending injury to his pectoral muscle on Sunday in a win over the Oakland Raiders.
Watt was injured in the second quarter of Houston’s 27-24 win and tweeted afterward that he was done for the season.
His tweet said: “This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal. Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts & well-wishes.”
This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal. Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts & well-wishes.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 28, 2019
That tweet came after he retweeted a video of him making a tackle for a loss. The caption on the tweet read: “Look out for No. 99,” and he added the comment: “Shoulda told my pec to look out lol.”
This is the third time in four seasons that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has had a season-ending injury. He missed the last 13 games of 2016 with a back injury which required surgery and played just five games in 2017 before breaking his leg. He played all 16 games last season and was a first-team All-Pro after finishing with 16 sacks and 18 tackles for losses.
His injury is a big loss for a team which traded 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle in August and has little experienced depth to absorb his absence.
Watt was injured when he tackled running back Josh Jacobs for a 6-yard loss in the second quarter. He went to the locker room with about 5½ minutes left in the quarter after spending a few minutes in the medical tent.
Watt had three tackles, including one for a loss, and swatted down a pass before he was injured.
