Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; CBS analyst J.J. Watt on the field before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt leaves door open (slightly) for potential return to Texans

J.J. Watt left the door open for a potential NFL comeback, although he admitted that the door is closing quickly.

Watt, who announced his retirement after the 2022 season, said at his charity softball game on Saturday in Houston that he’d suit up for the Texans if he was truly needed.

“I’m a very fortunate, lucky man, I have a beautiful wife, I have a beautiful son,” Watt said. “I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great.

“I told (former teammate and current Texans coach DeMeco Ryans) last year, I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but if you ever do call, I’ll be there.’ And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training the way I’ve been training, but he knows that if he ever truly does need it, I’ll be there for him. I don’t anticipate that happening — they’ve got a very good group.”

Watt, 35, played for the Texans from 2011-20 before finishing his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals (2021-22).

Houston bolstered its pass-rushing group by signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, who last season recorded 16.5 and 11.5 sacks, respectively.

Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

Watt currently is an NFL analyst for CBS Sports.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (right) and his brother fullback Derek Watt (44) embrace before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Watt retires after 7 NFL seasons

Derek Watt, the middle brother in the football-playing Watt brothers trio, announced his retirement from the NFL.

A fullback, Watt was selected by the then-San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played his first four seasons with the Chargers, then joined younger brother T.J. with the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons. He did not play in the NFL last season.

In an lengthy statement posted, Watt said he was “just a kid from Pewaukee, WI who had the chance to live out his childhood dream of being drafted and playing in the NFL. And now, it is with great honor and gratitude that I officially announce my retirement and the end to my career … a career that ended up being about so much more than just the game that I love.”

He also thanked his parents and his two brothers, including J.J., who retired after the 2022 season. T.J. and J.J. Watt were named NFL Defensive Player of the Year — younger brother T.J. in 2021 and older brother J.J. in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

“To JJ & TJ … From playing in the backyard, to sharing a field in the NFL, this journey together has been absolutely incredible. They say if you want to be great, then you should surround yourself with greatness … You both have pushed me to be the best that I could be and it’s been so special to see all the hard work that we put in and sacrifices that we made pay off!”

Derek Watt retires after gaining 249 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns in 110 games (20 starts). He also was a presence on special teams, playing more than 60 percent of his team’s snap count in each of six seasons.

–Field Level Media

Retired Arizona Cardinal J.J. Watt speaks with the press during the 19th annual Pat's Run outside Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on April 15, 2023.

Running Pat S Run J J Watt

J.J. Watt joins CBS Sports as NFL studio analyst

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt agreed to a multi-year contract to appear on CBS Sports, the network announced Thursday.

Per CBS Sports, Watt will serve as an NFL studio analyst across the network’s various platforms beginning this upcoming season.

“We are thrilled to welcome J.J. to the CBS Sports family and add one of the greatest defensive players of all time to our team,” David Berson, president of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “As he steps off the field after a Hall of Fame career, J.J. brings deep passion, unique insights and opinions from today’s NFL. We think fans will love what J.J. brings to our coverage.”

Watt, 34, announced his retirement from the NFL in December after 12 seasons.

A five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl honoree, Watt also was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

“I love the game too much to be away from it entirely,” Watt said in a statement. “I’m very excited to be joining CBS Sports to contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms, including working alongside and learning from JB (James Brown), Coach (Bill Cowher), Boomer (Esiason), Phil (Simms) and Nate (Burleson) this fall. Hopefully fans will enjoy insights and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL and if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way as well.”

Watt inadvertently provided a few chuckles while revealing the news on Twitter.

After mistakenly telling his followers that he got a job at “CVS,” Watt quickly posted another video and turned his hat around.

“A little pro tip out there for anybody starting a new job. Don’t screw up the announcement,” Watt said. “It’s not a good way to start your first day on the job — especially if that job is at a global network with millions and millions of viewers, hundreds of Emmys — you just want to start off on a better foot.

“I will be working at CBS this fall, the key was on the hat the whole time.”

–Field Level Media

Former Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt speaks with the press during Pat   s Run 2023 outside Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Running Pat S Run J J Watt

Texans to induct J.J. Watt into Ring of Honor

The Houston Texans will induct J.J. Watt into their Ring of Honor on Oct. 1.

Watt, who cemented his legacy with the Texans as the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a tireless philanthropist, will become the third person so honored. He joins the late Robert McNair, the founding owner, and wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The Texans made the announcement Monday in a video posted to social media.

“Everybody knows how much J.J. means to our family, the Texans organization and the entire City of Houston,” the McNair family said in a statement. “He is one of the most dominant players in NFL history and he created a unique and irreplaceable bond with our fans. J.J. has always kept a special place in Houston’s heart and we’re thrilled to welcome him back.”

The induction ceremony will be held when the Texans host the Steelers, meaning his brother — Pittsburgh star T.J. Watt — will be in the stadium that day.

Watt spent the first 10 seasons of his career (2011-20) in Houston after the Texans drafted the Wisconsin product with the No. 11 overall pick in 2011. He played two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring.

Watt, 34, was named the NFL’s top defender in 2012 and 2014-2015 and a first-team All-Pro in those seasons, plus 2013 and 2018. He also earned the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award after raising more than $41 million to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

He played in 151 career games, 128 of them with the Texans. Injuries limited him to just eight games in the 2016-17 seasons combined.

He set the franchise record for sacks (101) and made 172 tackles for loss, the most in the NFL since TFLs became an official stat. He also holds franchise records for quarterback hits (281), multi-sack games (26), forced fumbles (25) and fumble recoveries (16).

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) alongside Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals’ J.J. Watt announces retirement: ‘It’s been an absolute honor’

Five-time All-Pro J.J. Watt announced his retirement after 12 NFL seasons on Tuesday.

The defensive end posted a photo of himself with his wife, Kealia, and their infant son, Koa, to social media with the following statement:

“Koa’s first ever NFL game.

“My last ever NFL home game.

“My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”

The photo was taken at the Arizona Cardinals’ Christmas Day overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watt has two road games left with the Cardinals — Sunday at Atlanta and Jan. 8 at San Francisco.

Watt, 33, leaves behind a legacy of greatness on and off the field. A five time Pro Bowl honoree, he also was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and three times selected the Defensive Player of the Year. In 2017, he was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year and the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year after he spearheaded a fundraising effort that brought in more than $37 million in Hurricane Harvey relief for the Houston community, where he played with the Texans.

The Texans selected Watt with the No. 11 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he spent 10 seasons there. The Wisconsin native signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals before the 2021 season.

In his first five seasons, he was a dominant and feared defensive force, twice posting 20-plus sacks and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors 2012, 2014 and 2015. But serious injuries limited him in four of the next six seasons, and he lost a half-season or more in each of those four years.

For his career, Watt has appeared in 149 games (all starts), with 580 tackles (191 for loss), 313 quarterback hits and 111.5 sacks. He also intercepted two passes — returning both for touchdowns — forced 27 fumbles and recovered 17, and broke up 69 passes.

As a weapon on offense, he also caught three passes for four yards — and three touchdowns — with the Texans in a dominant 2014 season.

In 14 games with the Cardinals this season, Watt has made 33 tackles (14 for loss) and posted 21 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a sack against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals’ J.J. Watt to play Sunday after heart scare

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt said he will play in Sunday’s game at the Carolina Panthers.

Watt, who was listed as questionable to face the Panthers due to a calf injury, revealed Sunday morning on social media that he also experienced a cardiac scare this week.

“I was just told somebody leaked some personal information about me and it’s going to be reported on today,” Watt posted on Twitter. “I went into A-Fib on Wednesday, had my heart shocked back into rhythm on Thursday and I’m playing today. That’s it.”

Watt, 33, has two sacks and three tackles in two games this season. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has 104 sacks, 294 quarterback hits and 26 forced fumbles in 137 starts with the Houston Texans (2011-20) and Cardinals.

–Field Level Media

June 15, 2022; Tempe, Arizona; USA; Cardinals defensive lineman JJ Watt (99) during camp at the Tempe Training facility.

Nfl Cardinals Mandatory Camp At Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals DE J.J. Watt returns to practice, hopeful for Week 2

Arizona Cardinals star defensive end J.J. Watt returned to practice on Thursday after missing Week 1 with a calf strain.

Watt told reporters in Arizona that he hopes to be ready to go for the Cardinals’ Week 2 game at the Las Vegas Raiders.

“It was a good day of work, good first day back out there (at practice),” Watt said. “I’ll get some more tomorrow and then go from there.”

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph added that Watt was “close” to playing Week 2, but did not make a guarantee beyond that.

Watt, 33, is beginning his second season with the Cardinals after 10 years with the Houston Texans. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year played seven games last year and recorded one sack and one forced fumble before shoulder surgery ended his regular season. He returned to play in Arizona’s playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Watt has 102 sacks in 135 career games (all starts), along with 26 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. He has only played a full season twice in the past six years.

–Field Level Media

Aug 16, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during training camp at State Farm Stadium.

Nfl Cardinals Daily Training Camp

Cardinals’ J.J. Watt out for two preseason games with COVID

Star defensive end J.J. Watt has tested positive for COVID-19, the Arizona Cardinals said ahead of their preseason game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

Watt was ruled out not only for the matchup against the Ravens, but for the Cardinals’ preseason finale Saturday at the Tennessee Titans.

The NFL stopped its official COVID-19 protocol in March but still follows CDC guidelines that call for five days in isolation after a positive test.

Watt, 33, is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time first-team All-Pro who is entering his second season with the Cardinals. He played just seven games in his first season with the team before suffering a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery, though he made it back for Arizona’s loss in the wild-card round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

The longtime Houston Texan has played in 135 career games (all starts) and has 102 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries and 547 tackles.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watch the action from the sideline against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Nfl Indianapolis Colts At Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals activate DE J.J. Watt ahead of playoff clash with Rams

J.J. Watt will be eligible to play Monday night when the Arizona Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams in their NFC wild-card playoff game.

The Cardinals moved Watt from injured reserve to its active roster Monday afternoon. The Cardinals released defensive back Breon Borders on Sunday to make room on the roster for Watt.

Watt, 32, hasn’t played for the Cardinals since Oct. 24. Days later, Watt underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum, bicep, rotator cuff and separated shoulder.

The Cardinals placed the three-time Defensive Player of the Year on injured reserve on Nov. 6. Watt returned to practice last week.

In seven games for the Cardinals this season, Watt tallied 16 tackles, 10 QB hits, one sack, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. With Watt in the lineup, the Cardinals were 7-0 and allowed just 16.3 points per game.

Should Watt enter Monday night’s game, it will be the 11th playoff game he has featured in across 11 seasons in the NFL.

The Cardinals beat the Rams with Watt in the lineup in Week 4, taking a 37-20 victory in Los Angeles. Arizona then lost at home to the Rams in Week 14 without Watt, 30-23.

Monday night’s game is the final contest of the wild-card round.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals’ J.J. Watt ‘very limited’ in return to practice

Arizona pass rusher J.J. Watt was “very limited” in his return to practice Thursday, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

Watt, 32, was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 6 following surgery to repair a torn labrum, torn rotator cuff and torn bicep. He sustained the injuries during Arizona’s Week 7 win against the Houston Texans.

“We wanted to get him back out doing some functional football exercises, and that was the step today,” Kingsbury said.

Watt and the team are hopeful he’ll be ready to play in Monday night’s wild-card game at the Los Angeles Rams.

However, Watt was non-committal about playing when talking to reporters on Wednesday, saying, “We’ll make that decision as Monday comes closer.”

He started the first seven games this season and recorded 16 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a two-year, $31 million deal with the Cardinals in March after playing his first 10 seasons with Houston.

–Field Level Media