ESPN's Adam Schefter: JJ Watt has back surgery; expected to be season-ending procedure

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have placed star defensive end J.J. Watt on injured reserve and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watt had surgery on Thursday, September 29th -- and it's expected to be a season-ending procedure, per an NFL source.




Coach Bill O'Brien announced Wednesday, September 28th that Watt had re-injured his back and that putting him on IR was the best thing for his long-term health.

Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, 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, September 22nd against the Patriots.

The Texans signed veteran defensive end Antonio Smith to take his spot on the roster.