Texans star DE sidelined by a back injury
J.J. Watt is out until at least December and could miss the rest of the season with an injured back. The Houston Texans defensive end was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, which means he will be out for a minimum of eight weeks.
“You can never replace the best player in the NFL,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “When someone like that goes down, it’s a tough thing obviously, but at the same time ... this is a team.”
O’Brien said Watt had reinjured his back and putting him on IR was the best thing for his long-term health.
It’s unclear if Watt will require more surgery.
Watt, who has won the defensive player of the year for the past two seasons, had surgery in July to repair a herniated disk. He started the team’s three regular-season games and was hurt a week ago against the Patriots.
Bills
Taking a few steps back led to LeSean McCoy enjoying more than a few big rushes forward. After a sputtering start to the season, the Buffalo Bills running back showed signs of regaining his footing by setting up deeper in the backfield. Having a fullback lined up in front of him didn’t hurt either. “I like to be the dot better,” he said, referring to his spot as the dot in the traditional “I” formation. This Pitt product began resembling his old shifty self in sparking Buffalo (1-2) to a 3318 victory Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished with 110 yards rushing — nearly doubling the 117 yards he combined for in his first two games — on 17 carries, and scored two touchdowns rushing, including the 50th of his career. McCoy credited the performance on Anthony Lynn, Buffalo’s running backs coach who was promoted to offensive coordinator Sept. 16.
Bears
Quarterback Jay Cutler returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday after missing a game because of a sprained right thumb. Cutler was injured Sept. 19 against Philadelphia and sat out a 31-17 loss in Week 3 at Dallas. Veteran Brian Hoyer was 30 of 49 for 317 yards filling in against the Cowboys and likely would start again if Cutler is not available against Detroit this week. The Bears (0-3) have battled a long line of injuries, and on top of that, coach John Fox missed practice Wednesday because of a stomach illness.
Jets
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is getting a quick second chance from New York. Coach Todd Bowles is counting on the tight end to make the most of it. “We brought in the player. He has a chance to clean his act up, and we’ll see what happens.” Seferian-Jenkins was expected to join his new teammates today on the field for the first time. This talented but troubled tight end was claimed off waivers Monday from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who cut him last week after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence. Three days later, he had a new job with a new team.
Seahawks
Seattle is expected to sign veteran running back C.J. Spiller with the team running out of depth at running back. The team said that Spiller’s signing likely would not be finalized until today. Spiller was released Sept. 13 by New Orleans after being inactive in Week 1. Spiller rushed for only 112 yards in very limited opportunities with the Saints in 2015. Spiller’s best season came in 2012 with Buffalo when he rushed for 1,244 yards. Seattle has been thinned at running back because of injuries to Thomas
Rawls (shin) and C.J. Prosise (hand).
Cowboys
Dez Bryant has a slight hairline fracture in a bone in his right knee, though Dallas coach Jason Garrett said the wide receiver might not miss a game. Bryant didn’t practice Wednesday, three days after getting hurt in a victory against Chicago. Bryant injured the knee on his first catch on the opening series against the Bears, but came back in the first quarter. He caught his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter of the 3117 win.
Dolphins
Miami ruled out four players for a game tonight against the Bengals at Cincinnati — center Mike Pouncey (hip), running back Arian Foster (groin), tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion) and linebacker Koa Misi (neck).