Hope springs: J.J. Watt posts video that will make Texans' fans happy

Shalise Manza Young
·Columnist

The 2018 NFL season is still months away, but teams will be gathering for offseason programs before we know it.

And one team – the Houston Texans – may get a big boost from the return of two of its best players.

On Thursday, two-time defensive player of the year and reigning NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year J.J. Watt posted a video on his social media accounts of him and quarterback Deshaun Watson jogging on a field at the team facility.

“Biggggg Day!!!!!,” Watt captioned. “Somethin special brewin!!!!”

Watt suffered a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg on October 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, which required surgery (the scar is pretty gnarly), and has meant a slow, deliberate recovery for the soon-to-be 29-year-old.

Watson was starting to ignite not just Houston fans but NFL fans with his stellar play at quarterback when he suffered his own season-ending injury on Nov. 2. Watson tore the ACL in his right knee in practice.

The injury came days after Watson’s amazing performance in Seattle against the Seahawks, a game the Texans ultimately lost, but saw the then-rookie throw for over 500 yards and match Seattle score-for-score in one of the toughest road stadiums in the league.

When Watson got hurt, Houston was 3-4; the Texans won just one of nine games the rest of the season.

Without Watt and Whitney Mercilus, Houston’s defense was the 32nd-ranked unit in the league.

Does a healthy Watt and Watson mean the Texans are ticketed for Super Bowl LIII? Who knows? But their chances are a lot better with them than without.

Houston Texans Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt were jogging at the team facility on Thursday, showing progress after both suffered season-ending leg injuries. (AP)
Houston Texans Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt were jogging at the team facility on Thursday, showing progress after both suffered season-ending leg injuries. (AP)