After injuring his shoulder during the team’s win last weekend, Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt could reportedly be lost for the season.
This past offseason, the Arizona Cardinals added several veteran players to their roster that have wound up playing a major part in the team’s 7-0 start this year. No addition might have been bigger than when they landed All-Pro defensive lineman J.J. Watt.
After 10 seasons with the Houston Texans, Watt decided to take his talents to the desert this year, and through the Cardinals’ first seven games of the 2021 campaign, the veteran pass rusher made a big difference both on the field and in the locker room.
Unfortunately, Watt apparently injured his shoulder during Arizona’s most recent win last Sunday over the Texans. On Wednesday afternoon, he was declared out of the Cardinals’ Thursday night showdown against the Green Bay Packers. But now it sounds like the injury could keep Watt out of action for a much longer period of time.
Arizona Cardinals could reportedly be without J.J. Watt for the rest of the 2021 season
A few hours after the veteran defensive lineman was ruled out of Thursday’s game, it was revealed that Watt will reportedly need surgery on his shoulder according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
The recovery from his surgery is expected to keep the former Defensive Player of the Year off the field for at least three months and possibly the remainder of the 2021 season.
Watt‘s absence was already going to be difficult for the Cardinals to deal with during Thursday’s matchup with the Packers. But now, Arizona has to figure out a plan to potentially replace Watt in their defense for the rest of the season.
Luckily for the Cardinals, this injury happened prior to this year’s trade deadline on November 2, so they could still attempt to make a deal for another veteran defensive lineman if they feel necessary. Arizona could also turn to the free-agent market to see if there is anyone worth bringing in or they could just stick with the guys they already have on their roster.
It’s possible that he could return in the playoffs, but unfortunately, it looks like Watt’s first year with the Cardinals will end with him cheering on his teammates from the sideline for the rest of the season.