Watt hurt, may go on IR, source says

J.J. Watt has reinjured his back, according to a person familiar with his condition, and the Houston Texans expect the defensive end to be sidelined until at least December, and possibly the entire season.

The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t confirmed the injury.

Watt missed training camp and Houston’s four preseason games after surgery in July to repair a herniated disk in his back. He started each of the team’s three regular-season games and got hurt again Thursday against the Patriots.

It’s unclear if the injury will require surgery, but the person familiar with Watt’s condition said he could be placed on injured reserve as early as Wednesday.

Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, didn’t practice Monday, but head coach Bill O’Brien said he was just getting a day off.

It’s a major blow for Houston, which selected Watt with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft. Watt has played 83 consecutive games for the Texans despite various injuries, including torn core muscles and a broken hand last season.

Patriots’ QB update: Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were both in uniform as New England went back to the practice field.

Which of them will be at quarterback when the Patriots host Buffalo on Sunday remains a mystery.

Garoppolo missed Thursday’s game against Houston with a shoulder injury that occurred during the second quarter of New England’s win over the Dolphins on Sept. 18.

In his absence, Brissett, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, successfully led New England (3-0) past the Texans in his first career start, but sustained an apparent right thumb injury some time during the second half.

It all has added more intrigue as the Patriots prepare for their final game before the return of Tom Brady from his four-game “Deflategate” suspension.

Briefly: Washington put center Kory Lichtensteiger on injured reserve with an injured calf and signed free-agent center John Sullivan. Lichtensteiger was one of several Washington players hurt during Sunday’s 29-27 victory over the Giants. Another was safety DeAngelo Hall, who went on IR with a torn ligament in his right knee. Left guard Shawn Lauvao left Sunday’s game with a sprained ankle . ... Jacksonville left tackle Kelvin Beachum has been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol and will practice Wednesday . ... The Colts put outside linebacker Trent Cole on injured reserve.