Watson lost for season with torn ACL
Standout rookie QB injured on routine play at practice.
The promising HOUSTON — season of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson came to a devastating end on a routine play at practice Thursday when the rookie sensation tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, according to NFL sources not authorized to speak publicly.
A magnetic resonance imaging exam confirmed the initial diagnosis for Watson, a strong Pro Bowl candidate before getting hurt while running a toss sweep during a noncontact drill in an outdoor practice session. It wasn’t initially regarded as a serious injury because Watson didn’t appear to be in much discomfort and wasn’t hit on the play, but tests confirmed the severity of the damage.
Watson will undergo surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season. He is facing a rehabilitation period of seven to nine months.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney issued a statement after speaking to his former star.
“I talked to Deshaun late this afternoon and we are disappointed, but he is a person who has had some setbacks in his life and always comes back stronger,” Swinney said. “Since he went through the rehab before, he knows what it takes. At least this happened in the middle of the season and he has had the opportunity to show what he can do.”
It’s a devastating blow to the Texans and one of the league’s top young players. The team had already lost three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and linebacker Whitney Mercilus to season-ending injuries Oct. 8.
Watson leads all NFL players with 21 total touchdowns and is tied with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz with 19 TD passes. He was named the AFC offensive player of the month and NFL rookie of the month Thursday after throwing for 1,171 yards with 16 touchdowns and running for 145 yards and another score.
The Texans will have to go with veteran Tom Savage, who was replaced by Watson in the season opener.
The rookie had been a bright spot in a challenging season for the Texans (3-4). His development was a revelation for a team that had featured a revolving door at quarterback in recent years.
The Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a $72 million contract before last season, but he was benched before the season was over and shipped to Cleveland in the offseason.
When Houston traded up 13 picks to take Watson, many assumed he’d be the starter to open the season. But coach Bill O’Brien insisted he back up Savage. Savage struggled in the opener and was benched at halftime, making Watson the ninth quarterback the Texans have played in the past five years.
Watson made his first start in Week 2 and led the Texans to a 13-9 win at Cincinnati. Since then, he’s turned a team known for defense into one with a high-flying offense. Houston had scored 30 or more points in five straight games to set a franchise record.
Now the Texans will look to Savage to salvage their season as they try to reach the playoffs for the third straight time.
They also plan to sign former Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, according to league sources.
McGloin, 27, played for O’Brien at Penn State. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder went undrafted out of college and signed with the Raiders.