/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51075391/usa-today-9556198.0.jpg)
Ian Rapoport just tweeted what qualifies as truly terrible news for your Houston Texans:
Sources: #Texans star DL JJ Watt has re-injured his back and is expected to be out for an extended period of time. Could be the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2016
#Texans are trying to learn more about JJ Watt’s back, which likely was injured vs. the #Patriots. Massive blow to their defense either way.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2016
As Texans fans know all too well, J.J. is slightly more than two months removed from back surgery. There's no way to put a positive spin on this. It's a killer.
We'll update with further details or confirmation when we get it. In the meantime, by my count, you have a little less than an hour until the liquor stores close. Get to it.
UPDATE: Awful, horrible, damning confirmation.
NFL sources confirm @RapSheet JJ Watt re-injured his back against the Patriots, expected to be placed on IR and could be lost for the year
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 28, 2016
UPDATE II: Why does it physically hurt to read this?
Confirming @RapSheet report bout Watt. Re-injured back against Patriots. Could go on IR and be lost for the season.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 28, 2016
Losing Watt terrible blow for Texans. This is the first time an injury will cost him games. Expected to go on IR and be out for season.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 28, 2016
UPDATE III: Adam Schefter, can you cheer me up? No? You want to grind these crushed dreams into a fine powder? [EXPLETIVE].
Texans source says on JJ Watt'a back injury, "It doesn't look good."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2016
UPDATE IV: Wherein we drink to the prodigal son returning yet continue to weep for the favorite son's departure.
UPDATE V: J.J. Watt addresses the situation.
UPDATE VI: Ed Werder reports that this back injury is to the same disk Watt had surgery on in July.
UPDATE VII: From the guy who broke the story, two days later:
My understanding of the JJ Watt situation: Any hope he returns in ’16 is slim. #Texans believe he’ll be back in ’17. No long-term concerns.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2016
UPDATE VIII: And there it is. J.J. Watt had back surgery again and is expected to miss the rest of the 2016 season.
UPDATE IX: Final confirmation from the team:
O'Brien: J.J. Watt is out for the year.
— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) September 30, 2016
Titans vs Texans coverage