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Texans DE J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery (out for season 9/27)

Say Watt said:
So I'm curious about thoughts on this.

What about moving Watt to OLB?

The reason I suggest this move is the extreme pressure placed on the backs of lineman, both offensive and defensive. Their position inherently brings tons of contact and pressure for the entirety of the game. Playing OLB could still afford JJ the opportunity of almost exclusively rushing the passer, but while being matched up mostly with TEs and OTs. Right now, he's going up against the strongest players on the field routinely being double-teamed by OGs and OTs, and even sometimes a TE. Move him to OLB and a lot of this lessens. Less pressure on his back, less contact with the biggest and strongest players on the field, and less time for Clowney at OLB. Move Clowney to DE and Watt to OLB.

Lastly, Watt's proven he has decent enough ball instincts to defend short routes. His height would be a huge advantage, he's fast enough, especially in short space, and has the mental makeup to play anywhere. Thoughts?
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In all honesty, let's talk about that next year once we find out if he's still active or retired. Not meant as a jab at you. I just don't think we're close enough to that bridge to even see it on GPS at this time.
 
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Showtime100 said:
In all honesty, let's talk about that next year once we find out if he's still active or retired. Not meant as a jab at you. I just don't think we're close enough to that bridge to even see it on GPS at this time.
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I'd have to disagree. JJ, obviously as expected, is saying there is no question he returns. I doubt he retires as well. It's never too early to explore where he could potentially play to possibly save his career.
 
Double Barrel said:
As a fan, this is freakin' depressing. I'm not superstitious, but this city's pro football is cursed. We are fortunate to be in a bad division, but I feel no joy in them 'winning a championship' of a four team crap division, especially when they don't make any noise in the playoffs other than a whimper.
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You are correct if you're saying there's no satisfaction in being the cream of the crap.
 
Say Watt said:
I'd have to disagree. JJ, obviously as expected, is saying there is no question he returns. I doubt he retires as well. It's never too early to explore where he could potentially play to possibly save his career.
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Fair enough. Maybe I'm saying that I, personally, can't think about that right now seeing how the ink on the press release announcing he's done for the year isn't even dry yet.
 
Showtime100 said:
Fair enough. Maybe I'm saying that I, personally, can't think about that right now seeing how the ink on the press release announcing he's done for the year isn't even dry yet.
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No worries. This is depressing times man. I'm hurt for the franchise, but I'm even more disappointed FOR JJ. He doesn't deserve this. He's the hardest working football player on the planet. He might even be the hardest working in NFL history. Dude doesn't deserve to potentially go out like this.

I'm just trying to look on the bright side and imagine what we do WHEN he comes back. Really that "when" should be an "if", but I just can't let go of hope for JJ. I desperately want to see him back and put up more 12+sack seasons. If anyone can do it, JJ can.
 
Showtime100 said:
Fair enough. Maybe I'm saying that I, personally, can't think about that right now seeing how the ink on the press release announcing he's done for the year isn't even dry yet.
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Curious as to why you think a delay is needed before thoughts can turn to the future? Are you in a grieving time?
 
dream_team said:
Peter King reported that when the medical staff cleared Watt, Texans staff still held him out for another week.

FWIW, Dante Hall on 610 said IF he had to put blame on just one person, it would be JJ. Doctors can't tell how a person is feeling, only that person does.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Sounds like ass covering by the FO and coaches.

So they hold him out for one whole week then throw him in to just about every snap and that absolves them of blame?
 
kingtexan said:
As much as I hate to say this, I think JJ has played his last NFL game.

Sucks ...
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I agree. I've yet to see what the particular details are of this latest injury to his back.

But that being said, how could you have 4 core surgeries and 2 back surguries in the offseason, and be ready to play? As far as pointing fingers go, it's as much JJ's fault as anyone else. He was going to play, come hell or high water, whether he was actually ready or not.

I just hope that JJ will be smart enough recognize that his best days are over, and hang it up.
 
badboy said:
Curious as to why you think a delay is needed before thoughts can turn to the future? Are you in a grieving time?
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Actually, I was speaking only for myself and admit this post..........

Showtime100 said:
In all honesty, let's talk about that next year once we find out if he's still active or retired. Not meant as a jab at you. I just don't think we're close enough to that bridge to even see it on GPS at this time.
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........I was clearly making it sound as if I thought none of us should be thinking about his future x's and o's in 2017. Sloppy posting on my part.

As far as "grieving" goes, 20 years ago I would have been at the top of the JP Morgan Chase building swatting at airplanes with a hot blond in my hand. These days I've got my own problems to worry about than Watt's injuries and a possible one-and-done in the playoffs. :D :D
 
I can't remember what thread it was, but I sure as hell complained about Watt coming back for game one and game two. I didn't think he looked the same and thought it was strange that he went from about to be out for first two games or so to being able to play. It just didn't seem right, and I figured that Watt rushed himself back and stubbornly told the coaching staff and trainers that he was ready. He didn't look the same even though he was still effective. This just seemed foolishly risky. Now all of a sudden two games later he is out for the season. Runs me hot as hell considering this totally feels like it could have been avoided with a better supervision of Watt's availability. I'm not sure where the blame should be placed the most out of the coaches, trainers, or Watt. My guess is that Watt deserves the most of the blame. To late now and I guess it doesn't matter.
 
Showtime100 said:
Actually, I was speaking only for myself and admit this post..........



........I was clearly making it sound as if I thought none of us should be thinking about his future x's and o's in 2017. Sloppy posting on my part.

As far as "grieving" goes, 20 years ago I would have been at the top of the JP Morgan Chase building swatting at airplanes with a hot blond in my hand. These days I've got my own problems to worry about than Watt's injuries and a possible one-and-done in the playoffs. :D :D
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awe shucks Showtime you know I war just funnin!
 
Michael_Jordan_crying.jpg
 
disaacks3 said:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...replace-the-best-defensive-player-in-the-nfl/

Looks like the Texans need better doctors.
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Or they need to actually listen to their doctors, not just hear them speak. When we've got a doctor on the board giving clear medical advice without the benefit of seeing the patient or his file, it makes me wonder what the heck is going on at Kirby between their medical staff and coaches/players.

I get putting blame on J.J., but CnD was very clear in this thread of how long rehab and recovery should be for this type of surgery. I don't care how much of a superman J.J. appears to be, the fact that he's human should be considered when it pertains to long term implications of him playing too soon.
 
So what's the prognosis when you jack up the same herniated disc you just had surgery on?
 
Brisco_County said:
Wouldn't it be gratifying to publish an open letter to McNair in the Chronicle about his medical staff?

"We knew in 2013 that an epidural for Foster would later result in serious injury. We knew that clipping Andre's hamstring would shorten his career. We knew in July that JJ Watt required a minimum of three months of recovery time from a microdiscectomy. How is it that a bunch of common fans can see these realities every season, but you, Mr. McNair, as head of your organization, do not?"

Hell, what harm would it do?
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I'm in for contributing money to print that in the Chronicle. Sick and tired of the same old BS with this franchise.
 
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Uncle Rico said:
So what's the prognosis when you jack up the same herniated disc you just had surgery on?
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From August 23 :

CloakNNNdagger said:
As my post following his extensive bilateral sports hernia and back surgeries have reflected, I have been very guarded about his future.........not only as Superman, but as a football player. If this is indeed true, this is exactly what I was concerned about, after his cumulative major core injuries. The microdiscectomy procedure removes the initially damaged portion of a disk. Microdiscectomies are found to fail, many times after a period of relief, and back and nerve compression problems continue or return in ~25% of cases and the surgery must be repeated. The next option usually considered (if there is enough disk material that can be retained) is another microdiscectomy, which again can be therapeutic to variable extent and variable amount of time. This simply is because it has lost some of its water content which causes decreased shock absorption with uneven pressure on the compromised disk. This then tends to lead to continued structural changes and instability. ............and this is the case in an accountant or a lawyer. Now address an NFL lineman who is very tall, heavy and continually requires bending, torquing and twisting of the body against resistance, and you can imagine the additional stress the back (especially the lower back) and their disks will endure. If the second microdiscectomy fails, typically the next option given is a removal of the disc with insertion of a prosthetic disk or with a vertebral fusion.............both of these extremely long recoveries........and very likely career ending. I hope that this is not the fate of one of the NFL's greatest players.

One last thought. This could be another disk level that Watt is dealing with. When one level is compromised, it is all too common for an adjacent level to be affected concomitantly or in the future.
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If there is enough disk left to still support the vertebral segments, they may try another microdiscectomy. But the 2nd not uncommonly gives relief for a shorter period of time than the 1st. If as in the case of a behemoth player that is expected to repeatedly stress the disc, this may no longer be an option.......and all that may be left is major surgical reconstruction.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
From August 23 :



If there is enough disk left to still support the vertebral segments, they may try another microdiscectomy. But the 2nd not uncommonly gives relief for a shorter period of time than the 1st. If as in the case of a behemoth player that is expected to repeatedly stress the disc, this may no longer be an option.......and all that may be left is major surgical reconstruction.
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Geez Louise this is sounding more bleek by the minute. Career ending? It would romantically be fitting with the Houston sport fan and injuries to this cities franchise players across the spectrum. Damn.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
From August 23 :

If there is enough disk left to still support the vertebral segments, they may try another microdiscectomy. But the 2nd not uncommonly gives relief for a shorter period of time than the 1st. If as in the case of a behemoth player that is expected to repeatedly stress the disc, this may no longer be an option.......and all that may be left is major surgical reconstruction.
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I'm just worried that JJ either, doesn't fully appreciate or understand the seriousness of his injury, or the docs aren't leveling with him. But I was afraid this would happen, and I'm pissed. They should have taken his helmet away, and shut him down for the year to protect him from himself. But I blame him more than I do anyone else.
 
Uncle Rico said:
So what's the prognosis when you jack up the same herniated disc you just had surgery on?
Click to expand...

More like, what is the prognosis when you're original microdiscectomy was unsuccessful such that your back is still severely herniated, then you are injected with an epidural (likely his atleast third) and then go out and play for three weeks in the NFL as a defensive lineman?

The only reason people are blaming JJ at all is because they assume that the original surgery was successful and that the burden is now on him to tell the doctors and coaches what his pain level is. It's much worse than that, his surgery was unsuccessful and this was confirmed. Whether the doctor/s told the Texans staff of this is unclear, but I can't imagine that they'd be so unethical and hide it from the team. What I wonder is if JJ even knew.

This whole "reinjured" his back in week 3 is CYA and it's sick. Lost a lot of respect for this franchise.
 
TexansSeminole said:
More like, what is the prognosis when you're original microdiscectomy was unsuccessful such that your back is still severely herniated, then you are injected with an epidural (likely his atleast third) and then go out and play for three weeks in the NFL as a defensive lineman?

The only reason people are blaming JJ at all is because they assume that the original surgery was successful and that the burden is now on him to tell the doctors and coaches what his pain level is. It's much worse than that, his surgery was unsuccessful and this was confirmed. Whether the doctor/s told the Texans staff of this is unclear, but I can't imagine that they'd be so unethical and hide it from the team. What I wonder is if JJ even knew.

This whole "reinjured" his back in week 3 is CYA and it's sick. Lost a lot of respect for this franchise.
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radio 790 today voiced scenario that Doctors cleared him to play, Watt said he could play and he had video of him jumping up on another box..so why would team deny him? I don't recall seeing any confirmation that doctor(s) said he could play. If that is true Watt and team went against doctor recommendation.
 
"More like, what is the prognosis when you're original microdiscectomy was unsuccessful"

What is it with all this throw-against-the-wall-to-see-it-sticks-unsubstantiated speculation?
 
I highly recommend reading this book excerpt referenced in a CnD post a while ago. It is well worth the time.

This is an interesting quote:

"I now own a copy of my injury file, obtained by subpoena from the Broncos..."

CloakNNNdagger said:
...

I've read the book My Injury File: How I Shot, Smoked, And Screwed My Way Through The NFL written by a former NFL WR (Nate Jackson). It chronicles how only after his career did he ever see his detailed medical records........he had no idea how extensive his file and injuries were......nor their true implication.....as he and his team and medical staffs preferred keeping him in a state of perpetual ignorant bliss.

You will be enticed to read the entire book when you read this unbelievably revealing excerpt from the book.
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DocBar said:
I've got to place a lot of the blame on JJ here. A medical staff and trainers can only do so much. The player has to be fully honest with them in order for them to properly rehab an injury. Also, the stupid box jumps and tire flips were on JJ. I wonder if the trainers/ medical staff ever counseled JJ to cut that stuff out.

I'm certainly no fan of the medical or training staffs, but in the macho world of professional sports, players are going to do everything they can to get back on the field.
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And it's up to management/ownership to stop them.
 
Double Barrel said:
We had this conversation barely over a month ago. Considering CloakNNNdagger's insight, I think it was stupid on J.J., the medical staff, and coaches to rush him back into games.

J.J. will never be the same player again. We've got to just accept that. He could still be a great player, but this could also potentially end his epic career.

At this point, though, all we can do is hope for the best and ultimately hope that J.J., the person, fully recovers regardless of how it impacts the franchise.

As a fan, this is freakin' depressing. I'm not superstitious, but this city's pro football is cursed. We are fortunate to be in a bad division, but I feel no joy in them 'winning a championship' of a four team crap division, especially when they don't make any noise in the playoffs other than a whimper.
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Agreed on JJ. We all could see this coming. This is totally on the atmosphere that ownership/management has created and I dont care if JJ wanted to play management should've put a stop to that happening.

This city only curse is having terrible ownership.

I believe that's because we are mainly a city of transplants and the owners have no real passion for winning a championship. Their desire is to make as much profit as possible 1st and foremost and winning always comes 2nd. This includes ownership in all of the major sports franchises in this city.
 
Put JJ at middle linebacker, he probably has as much agility as Cushing with JJ's bad back.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
From August 23 :



If there is enough disk left to still support the vertebral segments, they may try another microdiscectomy. But the 2nd not uncommonly gives relief for a shorter period of time than the 1st. If as in the case of a behemoth player that is expected to repeatedly stress the disc, this may no longer be an option.......and all that may be left is major surgical reconstruction.
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Damn/Damn/Damn......................
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
From August 23 :



If there is enough disk left to still support the vertebral segments, they may try another microdiscectomy. But the 2nd not uncommonly gives relief for a shorter period of time than the 1st. If as in the case of a behemoth player that is expected to repeatedly stress the disc, this may no longer be an option.......and all that may be left is major surgical reconstruction.
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I don't see how there wouldn't be another surgery. If the repair site of the disc failed, there had to be a loss of more fluid. Unless it was minor enough to treat non-surgically, but the chatter from Kirby doesn't suggest that this is minor.

Best case scenario: He has just enough fluid in that disc to play several more years and suffer periodic discomfort. Maybe there is some core PT he can seek that would help him compensate.
 
Only one thing left to do. Gotta get JJ a robot spinal column. We'll probably get him back by week 12 if he can jump enough boxes to put our team's collective minds to rest.

I'm only partially joking here. At some point (Doc) will something like this (or something beyond this) be a practical replacement for athletes with back injuries?
 
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