Texans vs. Patriots: 5 players to watch

2. J.J. Watt, defensive end (Texans)

Returning from injury for the first time in a regular-season game since being injured in the fifth game of the 2017 season, Watt totaled 15 tackles (11 solo) with no sacks and two passes defensed in his five games played last season. Watt wasn’t having the greatest of seasons before his injury and in the past two seasons has played just eight total games because of injuries.

From the 2016-17 season, Watt has just 1.5 sacks and 23 tackles in the eight games played, but what makes hm watchable as he begins his eighth season in the league is the fact he’s able to take over a game if he’s healthy and playing at the high level all football fans have became accustomed to seeing throughout his career.

The question for Watt this season is not only can he stay on the field, but is he still the player he was just three to four seasons ago when he had seasons of 20.5 sacks in ’14 and 17.5 sacks in ’15? That’s a lot to ask for a player coming off an injury, but it’s a question that will be answered as the season begins and progresses.

When healthy, Watt is arguably the best defensive end in the entire NFL, and when paired with who the Texans already have on defense, it will be nice to see how this unit works together when all are on the field at the same time once the regular season kicks off on Sunday.