Watt injured, may be out until December
A person familiar with J.J. Watt’s condition says he has re-injured his back and the Houston Texans expect him to be out until at least December, and possibly the entire season.Watt missed training camp and Houston’s four preseason games after surgery in July to repair a herniated disk in his back. He returned started each of the team’s three regular-season games and got hurt again against the Patriots.
It’s unclear if the injury will require surgery. Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, didn’t practice on Monday, but coach Bill O’Brien said then he was just getting a day off.
Garoppolo, Brissett returs for Pats
Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett were both in uniform as the Patriots went back to the practice field on Tuesday.
Which one of them will be at quarterback when New England hosts Buffalo on Sunday remains a mystery at this point. Garoppolo missed last week’s game against Houston with a throwing shoulder injury that occurred during the second quarter of the New England’s win over the Miami Dolphins.
In his absence last week Brissett successfully led New England (3-0) past the Houston Texans in his first career start, but sustained an apparent right thumb injury sometime during the second half.
Burfict set to return for Bengals
The Bengals aren’t sure how many plays they’ll get out of linebacker Vontaze Burfict in his first game back from a league suspension.
They know that no matter what the number, it’ll likely make a difference. Burfict sat out the first three games for his repeated illegal hits, including one during the Bengals’ latest first-round playoff loss. His hit to receiver Antonio Brown’s head drew a penalty that set up Pittsburgh’s last-minute field goal for an 18-16 win.
Cincinnati hosts the Dolphins (1-2) on Thursday night needing something – or somebody – to get the defense turned around.
Gore chasing NFL’s greatest backs
When Frank Gore hears the list, he shakes his head. Two weeks ago, he passed Thurman Thomas. Last week, it was Franco Harris. This week in London, the Indianapolis Colts’ running back needs 88 yards to move past Marcus Allen, Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk and Jim Brown on the league’s career rushing list.
If Gore stays healthy and productive through the rest of this season, he just might catch Tony Dorsett and Eric Dickerson, too. Gore never dreamed he would be mentioned in the same breath as so many all-time greats or be able to potentially pass seven Hall of Fame running backs in one season.