Report: Watt could miss rest of season
HOUSTON — Houston’s J.J. Watt has re-injured his back, the AP has learned, and the Texans expect the star defensive end to be sidelined until at least December, and possibly the rest of the season.
The team has not 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 whether the injury will require surgery.
Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, didn’t practice Monday, but coach Bill O’Brien said he was just getting a day off.
Watt has played 83 consecutive games for the Texans despite various injuries, including torn core muscles and a broken hand last season.
PATRIOTS: Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were in uniform as New England went back to practice Tuesday.
Which one of them will be at quarterback when New England hosts Buffalo on Sunday remains a mystery.
Garoppolo missed last week’s game against Houston with a throwing shoulder injury that occurred during the second quarter of the Patriots’ win over the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 18.
In his absence last week, Brissett, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, led New England (3-0) past the Houston Texans in his first career start, but suffered an apparent right thumb injury in the second half.
It’s all added more intrigue as the Patriots prepare for their final game before the return of QB Tom Brady from his four-game “Deflategate” suspension.
PANTHERS: If anyone is looking where to put the blame for the eight sacks and 12 hits that Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took during Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, just look at the whole offensive line.
A film analysis by The Charlotte Observer showed all five linemen gave up sacks or hits on Newton, who appeared to exacerbate matters by holding the ball too long on at least four of those plays.
Left tackle Michael Oher allowed three sacks, including one in the fourth quarter that came on a play after he was called for holding.
But it was an across-the-board failure that resulted in Newton getting sacked the second-most times in his career.
“We’ve just got to stay focused, go back to the drawing board and get back to work,” Oher said.
COLTS: Two weeks ago, Indianapolis running back Frank Gore passed Thurman Thomas on the career rushing list. Last week, it was Franco Harris. This week in London against Jacksonville, the Colts’ RB needs 88 yards to move past Marcus Allen, Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk and Jim Brown into ninth place on the list.
If Gore stays healthy and productive the rest of this season, he just might catch Tony Dorsett and Eric Dickerson, as well.
“Man, that’s a blessing, especially coming out of college as a third-round pick,” Gore said.
REDSKINS: Washington put center Kory Lichtensteiger on injured reserve with an injured calf and signed free-agent center John Sullivan.
As part of a flurry of moves Tuesday, the Redskins moved offensive lineman Vinston Painter from their practice squad to their active roster.
BENGALS: The Bengals aren’t sure how many plays they’ll get out of linebacker Vontaze Burfict in his first game back from a league suspension.
They know that no matter what the number, it’ll likely make a difference.
Burfict sat out the first three games for his repeated illegal hits, including one during the Bengals’ latest first-round playoff loss. His hit to receiver Antonio Brown’s head drew a penalty that set up Pittsburgh’s last-minute field goal for an 18-16 win at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Bengals (1-2) saw their defense shredded during a 29-17 loss to Denver on Sunday.
STEELERS: Every week a member of the Pittsburgh support staff lines the hallway leading to the team’s locker room with photos taken from the previous week’s game.
This week was no different, even though the pickings were slim and included shots of punter Jordan Berry and backup linebacker Anthony Chickillo. Getting handed the franchise’s worst loss in 27 years — a 34-3 meltdown against Philadelphia — has a way of limiting your options.
Mike Tomlin was not in a mood to search for a sliver of a silver lining Tuesday: “We got our butts kicked,” he said.