Houston Texans left scrambling with J.J. Watt’s season ending injury

The Houston Texans expect to move forward without their defensive superstar for the rest of the 2019 season.

The Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-24 in Week 8 to get to 5-3 at the midway point of the season, but they will have to play without J.J. Watt for the eight remaining games.

Watt left the game against the Raiders with reports of a shoulder injury, but it turned out to be much worse as reports began to surface that he suffered a torn pectoral injury that would sideline him for the rest of the season. Texans persevered to overcome a 14-10 disadvantage at half time, but the defense will have to hit the reset button without their best defender moving forward.

The Texans will likely be in the market for another defensive lineman with D.J. Reader, Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, Brandon Dunn, and Carlos Watkins in their defensive rotation. Houston could pursue a pass rusher through the trade market or decide to sign a free agent to try to fill Watt’s absence as best as they can. Texans will have until this Tuesday’s trade deadline to acquire a pass rusher if they decide to go that route.

There will be a lot of decisions that will have to be made if the Texans are unable to land a player via trade, and they will likely be hosting workouts as they get ready for Week 9.

The Texans will be traveling to London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars as they continue to battle for the possibility of regaining first place from the Indianapolis Colts.