Houston Texans Lose Two Key Players for the Season – J.J. Watt & Whitney Mercilus

The Houston Texans suffered a devasting loss of two key defending players, J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, on Sunday’s, October 8th game against the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a major hit to its strong defense that has dominated the team to many wins throughout the season. According to an article by msn.com, “On Wednesday, they were placed on IR, and the team signed Kendall Langford and Lamarr Houston.” Although there are no substitutions for such key players, the new addition of Langford and Houston will continue to carry on the strong defense the Texans have been known for.

Watt is a definite force to be reckoned with when he is at full speed. The best defensive player in the league, with three Defensive Player of the Year awards under his belt. The last few years have been challenging for Watt as he previously suffered a back injury that called for surgical repair. “Now he lands on IR once again with a tibial plateau fracture, which is a break along the top of the shin bone,” shared msn.com. He has since had surgery but will be out the rest of the season.

Whitney Mercilus, who took to the field in Watts absence last year to continue the strong defense, finds himself needing surgery this season as well. “Mercilus also needs surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle,” stated msn.com. “Mercilus led the team in sacks with 7.5. In 2015, he was second on the team behind Watt’s 17.5 sacks with 12.”

“Yeah, two good players, obviously. Great players. And obviously, we feel terrible for them individually, personally,” head coach Bill O’Brien said Sunday after the loss to Kansas City. “It’s tough to put in all the work that they put in, pouring their hearts and soul into the thing and then have their seasons cut short because of an injury. It’s tough,” shared msn.com