When the Cardinals take the field of State Farm Stadium on Sunday against the Ravens, they will do so without one of their best defensive linemen.
Defensive end J.J. Watt will not participate in another preseason game this year, the team announced on Sunday. Arizona has a road clash with the Titans on Saturday in its final preseason game.
For those wondering, this doesn’t have anything to do with the baby rattlesnake that Watt had previously shared on social media. As it turns out, that was a long-nosed snake, which is non-venemous.
Rattlesnake Update: pic.twitter.com/XhFAf7lKAk
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 13, 2022
Here’s why Watt will be out against the Ravens and Titans.
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Why isn’t J.J. Watt playing in the preseason?
Arizona announced Watt had tested positive for COVID-19, which means he will be out against both the Ravens and against the Titans.
In addition, Watt will not be able to practice during the week. The Cardinals are traveling to Nashville for joint practices with the Titans on Wednesday and Thursday.
Watt still blamed it on the snake.
I think the snake brought it in the house… https://t.co/4pcOVKRKLh
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 21, 2022
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Watt has not always played much in the preseason. He did not play in the team’s first game against the Bengals, and per PFF snap counts, has not recorded snaps in a preseason game since the third contest in the 2019 preseason.
Watt played in seven games for the Cardinals in his first season away from the Texans. He recorded 16 combined tackles and a sack with 10 QB hits and five tackles for loss.
When will J.J. Watt be back?
Don’t expect Watt to be out too long, or even miss any real meaningful time beyond the preseason games.
Given that he had the positive COVID-19 test three weeks before the team’s season-opening contest against the Chiefs, he should have no problem returning to practices with plenty of time before the game.
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