Watching his teammates play in their second preseason game, J.J. Watt told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that he will return to the practice field on Monday. The former All-Pro pass rusher has been on the Cardinals’ Physically Unable to Perform list since injuring his hamstring during the team’s running and conditioning test.
Watt said that he and the team have been taking his recovery slowly, as the 11-year veteran has remained focused on being at full strength when the Cardinals open the regular season at Tennessee on Sept. 12. With Watt looking on, the Cardinals defense kept Patrick Mahomes out of the end zone on his three drives on Friday night. Mahomes’ night ended with an end zone interception to Byron Murphy on third and goal.
A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt inked a two-year $28 million contact with the Cardinals this offseason. During his final season in Houston, Watt recorded five sacks, 14 tackles for loss, one interception and two forced fumbles. In Arizona, Watt will be joined by fellow defensive teammates Murphy, free safety Budda Baker, cornerback Malcolm Butler, pass rusher Chandler Jones and rookie linebacker Zaven Collins.
Watt has made a quick impression in Arizona, where the Cardinals are hoping to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
“He’s locked in all the time,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said of Watt earlier this summer, via the Cardinals website. “He’s a team guy. Incredible work ethic. Incredible leadership. It’s been a real joy to see him around the building.”
