The Texans standout defender left in the second quarter
Watt done for the year with injury
Oct 27, 2019, 6:25 pm
Getty Images
Texans DE J.J. Watt
The Texans were down their best defensive player as J.J. Watt left the game with a shoulder injury. After the game he confirmed he was done for the year.
UPDATE: Watt is finished for the season
This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal. Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts & well-wishes.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 28, 2019
Watt's postgame comment
Shoulda told my pec to look out lol https://t.co/LQDVoSheEr
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 28, 2019
That would seem to confirm a lot of the below information but it is all just speculation until an official designation is out.
Shoulder knocks Watt out
#Texans Injury Update: DE J.J. Watt is out with a shoulder injury and CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. is out with a concussion. #OAKvsHOU
— Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 27, 2019
Watt jogged to the locker room in the second quarter by himself. He had been in the medical tent after a big tackle for loss against the Raiders deep in Oakland territory. He jogged off without the medical staff but wouldn't return.
Watt now on defense?
The Texans turned to Brennan Scarlett to play opposite Whitney Mercilus in rush packages. Jacob Martin had a QB hit in the first half rushing the passer. Mercilus darted through for a big hit on Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the third quarter. No Texans player recorded a hit on Derek Carr after Watt left.
Watt's 2019 in jeopardy after the injury
The #Texans may have lost star DE JJ Watt to a serious injury. Source said the fear is that Watt suffered a torn pec, which would knock him out for the season. He’ll have an MRI to determine the full extent of the issue.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2019
Whitney Mercilus had his season ended by a similar injury in 2017. There is no official word on Watt's injury currently as the Texans will await testing for more information.
Bill O'Brien said after the game Watt went to the hospital right away to get further testing. He mentioned they have had to play with Watt injured for the year before and they would do it again if that was indeed the case.
Other notable injures
Deshaun Watson is UNREAL!@deshaunwatson | #OAKvsHOU pic.twitter.com/AInH5MDHR2
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 27, 2019
Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil left the game with a shoulder injury and didn't return for the Texans finally drive. Lonnie Johnson left with a concussion. Deshaun Watson was kicked in the face during the above play but remained in the game.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Houston Astros are in the middle of a midseason surge that’s turned heads across the American League, but don’t let the win streak distract from one key truth: they’re doing this with less.
So what’s powering the Astros’ recent run? It starts with elite pitching. Despite an offense that's been merely middle-of-the-pack — 14th in OPS, 20th in runs scored, and 17th in slugging — Houston ranks fifth in team ERA and leads the majors in batting average against (.218). That’s how they’re winning series while missing key pieces of their core.
Still, there’s more to this run than numbers. Is the resilience we’re seeing tangible evidence of the Astros’ winning culture? Absolutely — especially lately. Rookie Cam Smith is the latest example. He delivered the first walk-off hit of his career over the weekend and looks like he belongs in the big leagues. Meanwhile, the lineup has caught fire over the last week hitting:
- Jose Altuve: .429
- Jeremy Peña: .417
- Cam Smith: .304
- Yainer Diaz: .292
- Christian Walker: .278
And all of this has come without one of Houston’s top two hitters being unavailable for the Twins series, Isaac Paredes, who remains sidelined with a sore hamstring.
With 71 games in the books, the conversation around second-year manager Joe Espada is beginning to shift — from quiet confidence to serious consideration for AL Manager of the Year. The case is strong. Espada has navigated a bruised and bruising season that’s seen Yordan Alvarez miss extended time with a fractured bone in his hand and three key starting pitchers (Spencer Arrighetti, Hayden Wesneski, Ronel Blanco) land on the shelf — two of them for the year.
So, what would it take for Astros owner Jim Crane to give GM Dana Brown the green light to aggressively pursue help at the deadline? History suggests pitching would be the priority. But with young arms like Colton Gordon, Ryan Gusto, and Brandon Walter stepping up, a move may not feel necessary, especially if it means exceeding the luxury tax threshold.
The Astros might be banged up, but they’re thriving and proving they don’t need to be at full strength to play like contenders.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!