Texans QB Watson out for season with ACL tear

Houston rookie QB injured during practice Thursday, will go on IR

HOUSTON — Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice on Thursday, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The rookie suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees and will go on injured reserve. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the injury. His injury is the latest blow to a team that lost threetime NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and linebacker Whitney Mercilus to season-ending injuries on Oct. 8. The former Clemson standout had been a bright spot in a challenging season for the Texans (3-4). The 12th overall pick in this year’s draft was the AFC offen- sive player of the month after throwing for 1,171 yards with 16 touchdowns and running for 145 yards and another score.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, talked about Watson’s injury, and noted that he rebounded from the same injury when he was with the Tigers.

“I talked to Deshaun late this afternoon and we are disappointed,” Swinney said. “But, he is a person who has had some setbacks in his life, and always comes back stronger. Since he went through the rehab before, he knows what it takes.”

Watson also tore his ACL in 2014 as a freshman at Clemson.

“All he did after the injury in 2014 was come back and lead us to the national championship game twice and of course we won it last year,” Swinney said. “He started all 30 games the last two years here. I have no doubt he will come back from this. He has the resolve. His work ethic and drive are incredible.”