Texans QB Watson is day-to-day with chest injury

Quarterback taking a lot of hits during taxing second season

Deshaun Watson suffered a chest injury Sunday night during the Texans’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The second-year quarterback is regarded as day-to-day in advance of Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills.

The first official injury report of the week will be released Wednesday after practice.

Watson took a lot of hits during a 19-16 overtime win at NRG Stadium. Although sacked only once while passing for 375 yards, he was hit 10 times and also endured some big hits while running for 40 yards on 10 carries.

Watson got checked out in the medical tent following an interception late in the game but was cleared, went back in and engineered the game-winning drive.

When asked after the game about his health, Watson replied: “I was fine. I was going to finish the game regardless. I was good.”

Watson has been sacked 18 times this year and hit 53 times. He has passed for 1,625 yards, eight TDs and five interceptions.

“I think he’s a great competitor,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “As he goes through his career, there will be times when he makes the decision to slide or get out of bounds. There are some plays (Sunday) night where he’s trying to score touchdowns and help this team win.

“Dallas was very physical, and Deshaun is very physical. Obviously, those are plays we want to cut down on, and we’re going to work hard to do that going forward because we know that’s not a sustainable way to play to be hit that much. We’re going to work on it and try to improve on that.”

Watson plays the game with a hard-nosed style.

“I just try to do what’s best for the team,” he said. “I know sometimes what’s best for the team is protecting myself. When we’re down there at the goal line and I’m trying to get in the end zone, that’s my mentality.

“Regardless of what I’ve got to do, if there’s three dudes like there were multiple times, I’m going to try to fight my (butt) off. Whatever it takes, I’m built to take those hits.”

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked on 18 occasions and hit 53 times during the first five games.

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson pays a physical price for taking on defenses as a ballcarrier, leaving him day-to-day with a chest injury leading up to the Bills game Sunday at NRG Stadium.